Stephen Ireland's father has revealed his son intends to end his self-imposed international exile and make himself available to Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni in 2009. The Manchester City midfielder, who has been hugely impressive so far this season, is believed to be ready to return to the fold after deciding to opt out of the international scene after the 2-2 draw away to Slovakia in September 2007. Ireland's father Michael, himself a former Irish U-21 player with 16 caps, believes his talented son is ready to play for Ireland again as the country bids to land a spot at the 2010 World Cup. Speaking in today's Irish Daily Star Sunday, the 39-year-old revealed: 'The country needs him, he's a good player and he'll go back in his own time. He's just focusing on his family right now and Man City. He's keeping his head down, but he'll be back hopefully next year.' He added: 'I would never put pressure on him but I'd love to see him at the next World Cup.' Asked if he is considering a return himself, the Cobh-born 22-year-old added: 'Yeah, yeah, but I'm trying to keep the head down at the moment.' Ireland brought unwanted attention on himself when he asked to return home early after the trip to Slovakia and the Czech Republic after revealing to the media his granny had died. However, it later transpired that he lied about his granny's death because his partner had miscarried, and the subsequent media backlash resulted in him making himself unavailable for international selection. His performances this season have earned him rave reviews and made him a candidate for the Young Player of the Year award and it is believed his creativity and quality in the final third could be the crucial ingredient as Trapattoni looks to guide his adopted country to the finals in South Africa. Michael Ireland has also denied claims that his son was bullied by his international team-mates. He insisted: 'Stephen never wore a wig and no-one ever tried to pull at his hair.' Ireland has since been joined at City by his 15-year-old brother Michael, who is now an apprentice at the Eastlands club. Michael Snr added: 'It's great that they are both playing football, they absolutely love it. Deep down, I am so proud of him. He's a great player - hopefully after he has a bit of time to himself to sort out his feelings, he'll be back.' From: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1214/irelands.html
Playing great stuff at the moment but wouldn have him back in the squad not a chance. Whatever people think bout Roy Keane his reason was football but what the bald muppet done was a low blow. Let him enjoy the championship next year with city
fermoyred Can't agree at all - young Ireland is a class player (a scare resource for Eire) Got to put aside personal feelings about this guy aside - would he be an asset to the team - the answer is deffo I think he is a total ass by the way he acted up in Prague We were there and with the mixed messages being put out as to the reason for his return home (one granny RIP - a second granny RIP - what a twat) - we all thought, here we go again the FAI not able to organise a drink in a brewery - but for once, the FAI was on the side of the angels - it was young Ireland who was the pratt Anyway, we need the best players on the pitch for us & I believe young Ireland is one of the best at the moment It will be up to Von Trap to put his arm around his shoulder, give him a hug, tell him he is a great bloke & 'go out there son & do your stuff' I would definitely have him on the team sheet Ray2007
Its all good and well thinking along those lines, but when you see the standard of footballers that are currently in the Irish squad do you really think thats the approach that should be taken? A huge fuss was kicked up by before when Stevie G almost got in bed with Chelsea - now thats all forgotten about. If Stephen Ireland chose to come back (though I still have doubts he will) and we qualified, this sort of resentment towards would be long gone by June 2010. We can't afford to have such a dismissive approach to a player of this quality I'm afraid, no matter what kind of attitude they have.
Well said. He is one of the best midfielders in the premier league this year. He would be in the England squad on current form (not the first 11 though he has done more than Lampard IMO), so we cant be flippant about a player of his ability.
I didnt agree with Roy Keanes reasons for leaving the squad but I could understand them. All I ever hear about Stephen Irelands reason for not playing international football is that he wants to concentrate on his family life and club. This I cant understand. Exactly how much time would playing for his country take up? Its not like he's trying to juggle a 12hour a day job with paying the bills, changing nappys. Hes undeniably a great talent which we need but its an insult to your country to not represent it when needed.
Much as I dislike the sh!thead, the ROI just can't afford to turn this very tallented guy away, we've no choice but to forgive and forget if we harbour any hope of qualifying for the World Cup finals, we need all the good players we can get, and this goes for Trapattoni too with the Andy Reid situation
He is a bald cu*t, end of story. I would rather lose with 11 Irish men on the pitch than win with him. Pick any Liverpool player you want, imagine him flying home from the 1st leg of the next chamions league round because his granny's both didnt die. Can you imagine the Kop ever forgiving him. Hate the cu*t, hope he never steps foot on Irish soil again, spoilt little prick with a pink range rover.
he wont even fit into trapattonis criteria of 2 holding midfielders who play reserve team football anyway.we need him back.and carsley too.
Seen on this site a similar thread bout Roy Keane a while back and everyone slated him sayin never shouldve been given a chance to come back etc. Same story with that Cobh langer. Bring players in who are proud of their country not a jumped up full of shite muppet. The cheek sayin hell come back when he feels like it(or to that effect).
I mean, its a bloke enviornment, your away from your club, with some lads you dont get to see that often and one of the lads turns up with hair plugs .... come on, what do you expect!?
A bit tough on him there Bobby. Its well known he has not been well in the head department. I personally would welcome him back,we are badly lacking someone with his talent.
i no what he did was wrong but he apolagised,its well known he,s not the most intelligent man in football but his ability on a football pitch is fantastic in something we can,t afford to lose out on,we,d have a great chance of reaching world cup if he was back in irish team,he,s not the 1st flawed carracter we,ve had,paul mcgrath,roy keane are names that spring to mind but as soon as they took to the field in an irish jersey all was forgiven for the benifit of the team and country,i hope he,s back for georgia game
Without meaning to sound too political (beacuse I'm not) but the team that Ireland won't play for is 'Ireland' not 'Eire' (a land of mystical redheaded coleens dancing at crossroads for no apparent reason)..
Would Traps play him though he seems to have a very fixed idea of what every player in every position should be and if you dont fit that criteria he wont play you but will play a lower league reserve if he does. Just ask Andy Ried or Stephen Hunt. Regardless of what the other players may say Id say privately especially the more senior ones (bar Dunne) probably dont have that high of an opinion of him, you'd swear he fancies himself the Irish Ladyboy with his post goal celebrations. Personally Id rather see Ried in the squad a player that repeatedly gets smacked in the face by Traps but keeps turning up when called in the hope of getting a game than the talented but full of himself Ireland.
Can't condone what he did last year but you have to be in the situation to know how to react to the situation. However, we are not exactly flush with class players and we really could do with a player like him in the squad. We need the guy back; End of Story!!!!!!!!
to be honest mate it shouldnt matter how good or bad the squad is as to if he should be allowed play again for his country.
Doing simple maths, If Ireland snr is 39 and Stephen is 22, he was only 17 when he became a father, wow he started young. As a player he has been in sparkling form this season, for that reason and no other I'd love to have him back. What he did was wrong, but as a young lad I'm sure he thought he's get away with it. We dont't have many of his ability, so for the greater good, let's support the lad.