Stephen Ireland

[Serb]

He has provisionally agreed a £54,000 a week pay rise with City. He'll be earning £80,000 a week from next season probably.

He could probably buy 2 pink Land Rovers a week now.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...y-new-contract

[jbyrne]

The only slither of straw that you can grasp onto from that interview is that he says "never say never".

didnt roy say he wouldnt be back but then returned. i wouldnt rule out anything at this stage. however, he is making it harder and harder all the time and id say its a return before the august friendly or not at all for this campaign at least

[geysir]

Everyones "never say never" is different.
Keane had a royal bust up of all bust ups with the manager.
No similarity with SI´s situation at all.

Anyway my point was that his use of the words "never say never" is not in the remotest way, evidence now that he cares at all about playing for his country, at present or in the foreseeable future, as some claim it is.

In his own words, he has retired now and for the foreseeable future, but
apparently this thread on SI is hanging on the decaying strands of his 'never say never' words.

[OwlsFan]

"Any one got some super glue to keep this des kelly in position?

[as_i_say]

Voted city's player of the year today-no surprise there. Nice pouty pic of him here too.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0521/irelands.html

[Noelys Guitar]

Trap contacted SI last week to congragulate him on his good season. Wonder what the responce (if any) was. Trap is a clever man so I wonder what made him contact Ireland last week? SI must have given some indication (probably through Richard Dunne or Given)that he is willing to return. And return on Trap's terms.

[youngirish]

Trap contacted SI last week to congragulate him on his good season. Wonder what the responce (if any) was. Trap is a clever man so I wonder what made him contact Ireland last week? SI must have given some indication (probably through Richard Dunne or Given)that he is willing to return. And return on Trap's terms.

How are you privy to such information good sir?

[strangeirish]

Trap contacted SI last week to congragulate him on his good season. Wonder what the responce (if any) was. Trap is a clever man so I wonder what made him contact Ireland last week? SI must have given some indication (probably through Richard Dunne or Given)that he is willing to return. And return on Trap's terms.

How are you privy to such information good sir?

Not true at all. I haven't heard or seen hide nor hair from Trap in ages.

[Noelys Guitar]

How are you privy to such information good sir?

From todays Irish Examiner YoungIrish and it was mentioned on Radio5 last night.
Meanwhile, Trapattoni has effectively confirmed that he sent end of season greetings to Stephen Ireland recently. In a clear sign that the manager is determined to keep the door open to the absentee Manchester City player, the Italian reportedly contacted him to congratulate him on his fine season and being named his club’s player of the year.



Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/sport/trap-ke...xzz0HdCNAIV2&C

[Noelys Guitar]

Not true at all. I haven't heard or seen hide nor hair from Trap in ages.

The "voices" told me he contacted you Strange Irish! According to Radio 5 S.Ireland has been back in contact with Trap and is "close" to coming back. I am not sure what "close" means in Stephen Ireland's case.
From todays Irish Times
Reports from back home that Trapattoni had been in touch over the last week or so with Stephen Ireland were all but confirmed by the Italian who, while pointedly naming Steven Reid rather than the Manchester City midfielder, said that he occasionally calls or sends text messages to absent players but that nothing much should be read into it. In Ireland’s case, it appears he congratulated the 22-year-old on a good season and his young player of the year award, while reminding him the door remains open if and when he decides to end his international exile.

[geysir]

Nice to have such a gentleman and diplomat as Trap in charge.

[Uncle_Joe]

THe Times also alludes to this
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...248174858.html

Reports from back home that Trapattoni had been in touch over the last week or so with Stephen Ireland were all but confirmed by the Italian who, while pointedly naming Steven Reid rather than the Manchester City midfielder, said that he occasionally calls or sends text messages to absent players but that nothing much should be read into it. In Ireland’s case, it appears he congratulated the 22-year-old on a good season and his young player of the year award, while reminding him the door remains open if and when he decides to end his international exile.

It sounds like the press dragging up the usual nonsense again. No doubt to be followed by more calls that the Management aren't doing enough, and should have personnaly visited young Ireland with some flowers and a card signed by the whole team wishing him well.

[geysir]

But the press fishing for a story, does not take away from Trap's measured and composed response as opposed for example to an exasperated condemning rant from Givens.

[Noelys Guitar]

But the press fishing for a story, does not take away from Trap's measured and composed response as opposed for example to an exasperated condemning rant from Givens.

Agree. Trap as well as having class is a pragmatist.

[elroy]

Clever from Trap but imo even if SI wanted to return i dont think he should be selected until after this campaign. I think his return might do more harm than good.

[dr_peepee]

According to Radio 5 S.Ireland has been back in contact with Trap and is "close" to coming back. I am not sure what "close" means in Stephen Ireland's case.

There's only three games left after tonight. If we get a result tonight and he returns to the fold what does that do for what little credibility he has left as a person.

Is it too late for him to come back without doing more harm than good??

[eirebhoy]

Trap contacted SI last week to congragulate him on his good season. Wonder what the responce (if any) was. Trap is a clever man so I wonder what made him contact Ireland last week? SI must have given some indication (probably through Richard Dunne or Given)that he is willing to return. And return on Trap's terms.

It was also reported at the time that he sent a text to him at Christmas to wish him the best of luck.

[DeLorean]

Is it too late for him to come back without doing more harm than good??

Hard to know. I'd prefer to have him there at ant stage to be honest. Wouldn't be too worried about the feelings of Whelan/Andrews/etc. if it gave us a better chance. Would be extremely doubtful that he'd return this campaign anyway as it would be a harder for himself, a fresh start for a new qualification campaign would be the easiest.

[tricky_colour]

Trap contacted SI last week to congragulate him on his good season. Wonder what the responce (if any) was. Trap is a clever man so I wonder what made him contact Ireland last week? SI must have given some indication (probably through Richard Dunne or Given)that he is willing to return. And return on Trap's terms.

He probably replaced the recieve when he heard his voice

[tricky_colour]

Clever from Trap but imo even if SI wanted to return i dont think he should be selected until after this campaign. I think his return might do more harm than good.

Agreed no point in upsetting the team spirit.