MARTIN O’NEILL EXPECTS Jack Grealish to make a decision on his international future very soon.
The Aston Villa attacker is still weighing up whether to declare for Ireland or England, but Ireland boss O’Neill has revealed that he held “fruitful” talks with the 19-year-old and his father Kevin this month.
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“The situation with Jack is that I had a conversation with him and his father, maybe a week or ten days ago,” O’Neill said at today’s press conference in Abbottstown. ”I thought it was pretty fruitful and I think Jack is going to decide what he wants to do very, very shortly.
“Obviously it’s a big decision for him. He would play more often for us, he’s a very good talent. Naturally, I think England would qualify for more competitions than we would but it’s a decision that he has to give consideration to because this is not just something that is overnight.
“It’s not something that you sit and repent at leisure. This is going to affect him for the rest of his footballing career at international level, so I can understand that.
“I think that he and his father have agreed that it is about time that he will do something about it. Fine if he’s worth waiting for in that sense, not necessarily for me, but I’m talking about perhaps for the future.
He has got age on his side and he has got very decent talent.”
Grealish has yet to feature in the Premier League this season as he has been regaining his fitness after a picking up a hamstring injury in pre-season. However, he scored for Villa’s U21s last night and could be in contention for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
O’Neill also revealed that there has been no new contact made with Stoke City midfielder Stephen Ireland, who starred in the Potters’ 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday.
“Way back sometime ago, his agent was the one on the phone and I said to him if Stephen ever fancied coming back then he should give me a call,” he added.
The Jack Grealish saga finally looks set to come to an end
MARTIN O’NEILL EXPECTS Jack Grealish to make a decision on his international future very soon.
The Aston Villa attacker is still weighing up whether to declare for Ireland or England, but Ireland boss O’Neill has revealed that he held “fruitful” talks with the 19-year-old and his father Kevin this month.
“The situation with Jack is that I had a conversation with him and his father, maybe a week or ten days ago,” O’Neill said at today’s press conference in Abbottstown. ”I thought it was pretty fruitful and I think Jack is going to decide what he wants to do very, very shortly.
“Obviously it’s a big decision for him. He would play more often for us, he’s a very good talent. Naturally, I think England would qualify for more competitions than we would but it’s a decision that he has to give consideration to because this is not just something that is overnight.
“It’s not something that you sit and repent at leisure. This is going to affect him for the rest of his footballing career at international level, so I can understand that.
“I think that he and his father have agreed that it is about time that he will do something about it. Fine if he’s worth waiting for in that sense, not necessarily for me, but I’m talking about perhaps for the future.
Grealish has yet to feature in the Premier League this season as he has been regaining his fitness after a picking up a hamstring injury in pre-season. However, he scored for Villa’s U21s last night and could be in contention for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.
O’Neill also revealed that there has been no new contact made with Stoke City midfielder Stephen Ireland, who starred in the Potters’ 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday.
“Way back sometime ago, his agent was the one on the phone and I said to him if Stephen ever fancied coming back then he should give me a call,” he added.
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Allegiances Jack Grealish Make Your Mind Up Time Martin O'Neill Aston Villa Ireland Republic