Updated 14.15
JACK GREALISH HAS not been named in the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of next month’s internationals.
Martin O’Neill wanted to include Grealish in his provisional squad for the games against England and Scotland.
But he was not able to convince the Aston Villa youngster to commit to the senior Irish set-up at this time.
“I spoke to both Jack and his father,” O’Neill told the media on Tuesday.
“I think Jack just didn’t want to make his mind up at this stage. He wanted to complete the season at Aston Villa.
There are some important games for them coming up and he wants to make his decision some time in the future.
“I suppose I am [disappointed],” the Ireland boss admitted.
“He’s been doing very well recently and it would have been nice but that’s Jack decision.
I spoke to the father and said I would like to have brought him in but of course you don’t want to force someone who might not want to make that decision just at this moment.
The 19-year-old has been at the centre of an international tug-of-war since breaking into the Villa first team under Tim Sherwood.
The English FA stepped up their interest following his dazzling display in Villa’s FA Cup semi-final win against Liverpool.
And O’Neill is unsure whether the Birmingham-born youngster will continue to line out for Ireland, whom he has represented up to U21 level, or switch allegiances to his native country.
“Do you know what, I really don’t know at this stage,” he said. “I’m sure there’s a good possiblity [he will play for Ireland].”
Grealish indicated earlier this year that he hoped to return to Noel King’s U21 setup after taking time out to concentrate on his club development.
O’Neill said this latest attempt to integrate him into the senior Irish set-up was not an attempt to ward off growing English interest, and that if Grealish had wanted to train with the squad but opt out of the competitive game against Scotland — thus keeping him eligible for an international switch — that would have been acceptable.
There has been a definite u-turn since O’Neill ruled out the crunch Group D qualifier as too big an occasion for the youngster’s competitive debut.
Grealish has since started all three of Villa’s Premier League matches, playing every minute bar the final minute of Saturday’s win over West Ham — a game in which he set up Tom Cleverley’s winner and was named man of the match.
O’Neill accepted that circumstances have changed since he made those comments.
“At the time that I was dealing with it, with him not playing very much football, I think my answer was pretty obvious,” he said.
I’m not even sure that Jack would have realised that he would play the number of games that he has done since, and also in quick succession too so he’s getting a really good feel of [Premier League] football and making an impression as well too.
“All of those things that maybe five weeks ago might not have been in anyone’s consideration, of course there’s a very natural change…
“If he had not been involved in these five or six games, then I’m sure that the game against Scotland would have been rather tougher at that time. Now that he’s getting used to it, it’s a different decision.”
Brentford’s Alan Judge and Aberdeen’s Adam Rooney are the two new faces in the squad for the friendly against England (7 June) and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland (13 June).
The squad will be whittled down before assembling on 1 June.
Republic of Ireland squad: David Forde, Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, Darren Randolph, Richard Keogh, Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, John O’Shea, Alex Pearce, Paul McShane, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Stephen Ward, Harry Arter, Glenn Whelan, Aiden McGeady, James McClean, Alan Judge, Robbie Brady, Anthony Pilkington, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler, Wes Hoolahan, Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Daryl Murphy, Jon Walters, Kevin Doyle, Anthony Stokes, David McGoldrick, Adam Rooney, Simon Cox.
Can we talk about those in the squad, who want to play for Ireland?
Exactly, if this kid really wanted to play for Ireland he’d be doing cartwheels to get in. Forget about him he’s way overrated anyway.
The lad is obviously torn. Play for his country of birth and where he was raised or play for your ancestors country of birth?
Give the lad a break and let him think about it.
Anthony, I reckon it’s more like play for a team that competes in top level competition or play for a team that gets to the occasional World Cup and Euro championship
It should be as simple as play for the country you are from.
There should be no discussion. He is English so he is eligible and only eligible to play for England.
Typical Irish. We leech of England for their scraps. Have done and will continue to do so.
As England never do that; Ed Joyce, John Barnes, Raheem Sterling, Eoin Morgan, Ben Stokes…
He thinking,am I good enough to get into the England squad and if I declare for England will I actually get a game, he won’t in my opinion. . Or declare for Ireland, less pressure be loved by the Irish media. I do feel sorry for the lad because he’s not exactly the next Messi, he looked very ordinary in fact when I watched him play. The only good thing about this is we don’t have the listen or read about how Wes Hoolihan is going to save us.
England compete in top level competition? Ha.
@stevenseagull, I understand your point but some people consider themselves Irish through their parentage, even though they’re born in another country.
Many kids being born in Australia, Canada etc to Irish parents who have emigrated may consider themselves Irish or then again may not. In those instances I consider it a personal choice.
Not saying England do not do it. A lot of countries do it but we seem to depend on it more than any other nation. It is borderline pathetic / embarrassing to be honest.
@ Anthony, totally agree with you pal. However, this guy is not mulling over his heritage or roots, he is mulling over if he declares for England will he ever get a game with them. IMO. I could be wrong, but again just calling it as I see it. We have enough in the squad that do not know the name of our national anthem let alone sing it.
Sounds like MON wanted to pick him but Grealish said he hadn’t made up his mind and asked to be left out for now.
He said that he’s waiting until next season to return to international football. Media whipping up a frenzy as per
The BBC are reporting that we’re playing the North behind closed doors on 4 July, I haven’t seen that reported elsewhere.
Turns out it is behind closed doors
Announced last month.
http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/ireland-v-northern-ireland-friendly-closed-doors-match-a-logical-solution-to-lengthy-break-31176622.html
Fu@k him, if he dosent want to play, o neill needs to forget about him. He’s obviously hoping he gets an England call
I suspect he won’t be in the english squad either – despite hodgson clearly wanting him. Maybe it isn’t all a conspiracy and he just wants time
So what if he wants to play for England. That’s his decision. Were you equally disappointed when McGeady and McCarthy decided to choose Ireland over Scotland? Didn’t think so
Nice to see Adam Rooney in the squad, he has had a good season
Dusappointing
Yus.
If it takes this long for him to decide whether or not he wants to play for Ireland , his heart isn’t in it.
Same could be said of him playing for England…give the lad some time, it’s a big decision for him to make.
England haven’t actually called him up to the senior squad yet though so he hasn’t had to make a decision on that. For me if he chose Ireland he’d probably be a regular in the team until he hangs up his boots whereas with England he has no guarantees of a starting position and even if eventually he was a first choice midfielder for them chances are it won’t be for 2 or 3 years at least. A lot of hype surrounding him but he’s only played a handful of games and while he has done well I think he’s being hyped up to be the next Messi or Ronaldo (by the Irish media anyway), relax a bit!
It’s easy to forget that Jack’s own words is that he has knocked international football on the head until he has established himself at Villa.
Irish management have done everything they can here – bringing him up through the youth teams, asking him to join the senior squad and so on – that we have a great chance of getting him into our squad.
He’s only a young lad and has to make a massive decision that affects the rest of his career, let him have as much time as he needs!
That better be Eoin Doyle in the squad and not Kevin Doyle!
He’s right dispute what the media has to say, why force the kid into making a decision when he clearly isn’t sure yet what he wants naming him now and forcing him to pull out could make a hate figure out of him and that’s just not the right thing to do.
Time to move on…
It’s shameful to see all the discussion threads about the likes of Jack Grealish & Stephen Ireland, who have no interest in playing for their country.
Plenty of talent locally, that if supported more, can develop into quality players also. Anyway, I do honestly think Grealish is all hype. No doubting his ability for a young player, but He’s playing in a resurgent team and riding the crest of a wave. Let the lad alone and move on.
The Stephen Ireland situation was caused by him being held down by his teammates and having his hair ripped out by Stephen Hunt. Add to that the fact that people crucified him as a 19yo for saying his Granny had died, rather than admit in public that his partner had miscarried and it’s understandable he never went back playing for Ireland.
As for Grealish, maybe he just doesn’t want to be another Richie Partridge / Willo Flood / Darren Potter and would like to secure his club place first.
“No interest in playing for their country”?
Grealish was born in Solihull in the West Midlands to an English mother and a Birmingham-born father.
I presume you’re also angry with Paul McGrath for not playing for ‘his country’.
Stephen Ireland’s a wnker.
I thought they just slagged Stephen Ireland’s hair? Don’t recall hearing him having it pulled out.
Stephen Hunt flatly denies that incident with Stephen Ireland ever happened. In a recent article he wrote in the Sunday Indo he said it never happened.
It’s a no brainer for him – if becomes a regular in the English squad he will get regular tournaments every 2 years with reasonable prospects of getting to knockout stage , at Ireland it may be 1 tournament every 10 years
That’s not what it’s supposed to be about though , this isn’t club football , it’s not meant to be about your career , I think Ryan Giggs could’ve played for England
Simon if you really believe that a player with this decision to make doesn’t consider the impact on his career/earning potential then you’re living in cloud cuckoo land…and I wouldn’t blame a player for considering these things either, in fact they’d be extremely stupid not to.
With the exception of a couple of new players we might as well still have Trapatoni in charge….Uninspiring!!!
He is English
Good god there’s always a drama with Ireland, Roy Keane, Stephen Ireland and now Jack grealish, ya wouldn’t be half sick of it now at this stage.
I’m more disappointed Richie Towell or Dane Massey of Dundalk FC didn’t get a call up. They are just as talented as most of these Championship standard players.
Mad Hatter League of Ireland football is Micky mouse football and Astro turf isn’t allowed in a proper league.
Hi Denise. This is a forum on football. Big Brother is back on the box for you tonight. Enjoy sweetie.
I know more about football if you think someone playing for Dunfalk is international standard…The cartoons are on the kids channel for you.
The kid doesn’t want to pull on the green jersey let’s move on and forget about it, I’m delighted Adam Rooney got called up, solid Irish lad who wants to play for his country, give me that any day. C,Mon Ireland. Scots game our biggest in years.
Id be more concerned about the crap named in this squad..god we really have nothing..to much dead wood
At least they really want to play for us
Ease up lads Jasus Christ!, he hasn’t exactly signed for England !
The lad wants to concentrate on his club football first this season as he has already said!
Feck sake
Forget about this lad . Ireland is only a consolation prize for him.
No one should be allowed to play for Ireland unless born in the 32 counties then the youth of the country have a fair chance.
Well done…stupidest comment yet!!
Shut up Lorna, sure paul McGrath, David o’leary where born in England.
Keith you shut up I’m entitled to my opinion
He has no intention of playing for us
Maybe if o ‘Neill had shown some enthusiasm for the young fellah earlier in this debacle he might have had a chance of Grealish accepting his offer. My thoughts are that Martin didn’t realise how good Jack is and wasn’t really bothered if he joined up with us or not. I feel the presence of Roy here as I think his attitude with the players at Villa and his general disdain for anybody thinking they’re better than Keane thinks they are shines through from him. I think Grealish knows what Keane is like and wants nothing to do with him. Our loss now but if he’s not bothered than good luck to him
Murphy and Arter have to play against Scotland because you have to play the players that are in form also why do you need 4 goalkeepers and 9 strikers
I know if I passionately wanted to play for Ireland I would jump at it . He obviously isn’t if he has to think about it . Move on and good luck
Slow sports news day clearly, he said he wants to finish out the season before he makes a decision. Fairly straight forward.
Couldn’t care less.Same shi7e being dribbled on here,ireland brought him through the ranks,his mam and dad are English….blah blah.
It’s a terrible squad we got with or without him.
Pick players that are willing to play for the green shirt rather than losing sleep over grealish is what I say
@mad hatter..i have to agree with you there lad but Loi players just below championship fitness levels id say..talent wise on par
Richie Towell is as fit as a butchers dog.
We can’t blame the youngster , it’s hardly a month ago since O’Neil declared he wasn’t good enough to face Scotland . How could O’Neil be so insensitive , when Jack G looks around the recent squads and sees the number of struggling Championship players involved and the Manager says he is not ready, it tells him everything .
Hopefully we get rid of O’Neil and his looney left hand man Keane and we get someone in who wants Ireland to do well.
So he is biding his time to see if England will pick him, if they don’t he will then take his 2nd pick.
If he do then he will get a handful of games and be dumped on the side line.
We need to put a stop on this drama now though and concentrate on all the games, this side show is ridiculous. If a player doesn’t want to play for us then forget about them.
Neither was Andy Turner , the next greatest thing.
Disappeared into league 67 in 92
Ireland’s Stephen was a Brave Heart character ,
He fought for his grannies pride.
#NoMore unless thier called Townsend or McLoghlin
Ha! He’s waiting to see if we have a chance of qualifying, and if not (Which we don’t!) he’ll choose England, and I very much doubt Hodgson actually rates the guy? So both he and the FAI will look pretty stupid!