Is Alex Bruce the ultimate mercenary?

**Dodge** · 21/02/2006, 10:55 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...sh/4662544.stm

"I am going to pick the Republic purely because I think they are a better team," said Bruce.

"That is no disrespect to Northern Ireland. I have still got a few things to sort out but hopefully I will be playing for the Republic soon."

This is getting ****ing ridiculous

**stickyjoe** · 21/02/2006, 10:59 AM

Without wanting to get into the usual debate that follows this topic, yes he is the ultimate mercenary and it makes me sick to think of him wearing the national team jersey

**blobbyblob** · 21/02/2006, 11:11 AM

Hes honest. Better than picking us because we are the poorer team. Get over it. If Stan does one good thing in his tenure and gathers enough quality talent to supply us for the next 10 years of entertainment, they can come from greenland for all I care. They dont have to be able to recite Peig and have shamrock growing out of their hole to qualify and action speaks louder than accents.

Let me remind you of the some of the mercenaries as you put it responsible for the memories that we have had over the last 20 years.

Houghton
Aldridge
Sheedy
Cascarino
Townsend
McAteer - got us to a WC
Sheridan - Classic
Morris,
McCarthy,
Hughton,
Galvin,
Lawrenson
Holland
Breen
McLoughlin - got us to a WC

You take those names out of Irish football history over the last 20 years and come back and tell me that we'd have had half the pleasure. Once they pull on the green jersey and play with pride, I dont care if they are Ching Chong O Flaherty - They are Irish.

**stickyjoe** · 21/02/2006, 11:26 AM

[QUOTE=blobbyblob]. If Stan does one good thing in his tenure and gathers enough quality talent to supply us for the next 10 years of entertainment, they can come from greenland for all I care. QUOTE]

alex bruce a quality talent.....ffs. we are well and truly fukced if thats the kind of quality talent staunton is gathering.

**Dodge** · 21/02/2006, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by blobbyblob

If Stan does one good thing in his tenure and gathers enough quality talent to supply us for the next 10 years of entertainment, they can come from greenland for all I care

Its not a ****ing club side FFS

Oh and I wouldn't consider some of the ones you mentioned as mercenaries

**FarBeag** · 21/02/2006, 12:02 PM

Its look's like we are really clutching at straws now.We need someone that will be an asset and improve the team but somehow I don't see Alex Bruce doing so.To answer the question yes he is the ultimate mercenary imo.Breen, McLoughlin, McCarthy, Sheridan are Irish by the way and there is no way you can put Bruce in the same league.

**Macy** · 21/02/2006, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...sh/4662544.stm

"I am going to pick the Republic purely because I think they are a better team," said Bruce.

"That is no disrespect to Northern Ireland. I have still got a few things to sort out but hopefully I will be playing for the Republic soon."

This is getting ****ing ridiculous

Don't think it matters - you either accept mercenaries or you don't. Can't pick and choose "good" mercernaries over honest ones like Bruce.

Blobbyblob - not all that list are mercenaries. We don't have to have the debate again about foreign born not necessarily mercenaries do we?

**as_i_say** · 21/02/2006, 12:24 PM

listen is bruce any good? i suppose the only thing you can say is that he has declared for us at a young age but maybe he's a lad who knows that he has as much chance of playing for england as our mate clinton.

mercenary wise there have been far worse butthe vast majority of your list up there i would not describe as mercenaries.

**eirebhoy** · 21/02/2006, 12:28 PM

I don't think every foreign player that declares for us as 2nd choice is a mercenary. In fact, In this day and age I'd say its more down to just want to playing international football and making a name for themselves over filling their pockets. If I had a choice I wouldn't want the likes of Morrison or Bruce declaring for us but I wouldn't call them mercenaries.

**blobbyblob** · 21/02/2006, 12:36 PM

mercenary n. (100%)
A person who is paid to serve with armed forces other than those of the state of which he is a national.

I beg to differ. With the definition as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, there is no middle ground. Everyone of the players listed qualify either

1) as a mercenary having been born on foreign soil and holders of a non irish passport
or
2) cannot be classed as a mercenary by the fact that they hold an Irish passport(as does Alex Best) and as such has a legitimate right to represent his nation(money or not)

So if these statements/terms are to be bandied about, lets be clear as to what they mean. And yes, if you want to talk about mercenaries, the nationality question is focal to that arguement.

The calibre of the player concerned does not lessen his right to play for his country

**ThatGuy** · 21/02/2006, 12:42 PM

Personally I don't really blame the players or have any bad feelings towards them over declaring for Ireland, they are doing what is best for their careers (and earning potential).

My anger lies with the team management and the FAI for allowing these people to play for Ireland.

I would be elegible to play for the US, and if I was a pro footballer with no prospect of playing for Ireland and they were interested, I would play for them. I don't consider myself even 0.001% American, I don't think that I should be allowed to and I don't think that they should accept the likes of me declaring for them, but if I could I would.

**Roverstillidie** · 21/02/2006, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by blobbyblob

mercenary n. (100%)
A person who is paid to serve with armed forces other than those of the state of which he is a national.

I beg to differ.

sport is war by other means.

you have just circularly argued yourself wrong

**as_i_say** · 21/02/2006, 12:50 PM

I think there have only been a few true and utter mercenaries to play for us (that i can remember) but the ultimate one would have to be Paul Butler now of Wolves.

No Irish blood whatsoever, got his passport from his Irish Wife. Played one game for us in a friendly 3-2 win against the Czechs (remember Babb's overhead?!!!). He had a mare and was taken off at half time and announced months later that if he didnt get picked again he was declaring for Wales!!

Now thats a mercenary, but lads like him in the Irish set up, I dunno. You can't read minds so until someone comes out with **** like that you'll never really know!

Babb's overhead kick though-that lad was great.

**Jerry The Saint** · 21/02/2006, 1:41 PM

Originally Posted by blobbyblob

2) cannot be classed as a mercenary by the fact that they hold an Irish passport(as does Alex Best) and as such has a legitimate right to represent his nation(money or not)

I don't think Bestie's widow is the answer to our problems. I'd rather have Big Dotsy back in the squad.

**Dodge** · 21/02/2006, 1:47 PM

Oh and BTW Brucedoens't have an Irish passport. He's "trying to sort it"

**blobbyblob** · 21/02/2006, 1:58 PM

Well, Im right and your wrong so I dont care.

BLAH BLAH BLAH, IM NOT LISTENING TO YOU

**blobbyblob** · 21/02/2006, 2:00 PM

Originally Posted by Jerry The Saint

I don't think Bestie's widow is the answer to our problems. I'd rather have Big Dotsy back in the squad.

Ah Fupp, I thought we were talking about Alex Best.

Alex Bruce is a mercenary alright. No doubt about it.

**as_i_say** · 21/02/2006, 2:03 PM

if steve bruces dad was irish born (which i am pretty sure he is) then alex shouldnt have any problems getting his passport

**NeilMcD** · 21/02/2006, 2:09 PM

My understanding of this is That Steve Bruce;s father as in Alex Bruce's father was born in Tyrone and that is how he qualifies for us. I think its a bit much when you are taking advantage of 2 rules. I think Matt Holland qualified this way, not sure on that and also possibley Alan Kernaghan.

**Dodge** · 21/02/2006, 2:10 PM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

if steve bruces dad was irish born (which i am pretty sure he is) then alex shouldnt have any problems getting his passport

Steve Bruce's mother was born in Co. Down. And the point is he's "trying to sort it". If he wasn't a footballer he wouldn't be trying to sort out an Irish passport