EVERTON MANAGER RONALD KOEMAN has said that the Republic of Ireland’s decision not to select James McCarthy for the recent World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Wales was ‘the first time they did a good thing’.
Asked about Roy Keane’s recent comments regarding the midfielder’s persistent injury struggles, in which the Irish assistant boss said clubs ‘needed to look at what they are doing themselves’, Koeman didn’t shirk his response.
“First of all, I don’t know what (Roy) Keane said about the situation. I’m not interested in his comments,” Koeman said.
“The player, for a long time, had several problems – physically – and we tried to solve that problem. He’s now back. It’s the first time they did a good thing – not to use the player in his state of fitness. We like to bring him back. He’s a good boy. An important player for us. But we don’t take risks. It’s good for him. It’s good for us. Let’s hope he’ll be totally fit and available for next weekend.”
McCarthy has not played a competitive game since March but was with the Irish squad ahead of the crucial qualifiers and did train before the Moldova game. However, he didn’t even make the bench and was later ruled out of the Wales clash and allowed return to Merseyside.
Koeman, speaking ahead of Everton’s league assignment with Brighton, said that McCarthy won’t be involved but will feature for the club’s reserve team next Tuesday. After that, he expects the 26-year-old to subsequently be ready for a first-team return.
The Everton boss has been involved in a long-term, simmering stand-off with the Irish management team over their handling of McCarthy, who hasn’t played a single minute this season because of a knee problem.
The back-and-forth began almost one year ago exactly, when Koeman initially criticised Martin O’Neill for ‘overloading and killing’ McCarthy by selecting him for Ireland fixtures, despite him being eased back from injury by his club.
Things escalated back in March when, after more criticism from Koeman, O’Neill issued an official statement and described the Dutchman as ‘a master tactician of the blame game’.
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Shaw’s looking lively, hope he can find some consistent form in the coming weeks
Souness and Lennon criticism Pogba on tv3 just when everyone is realising just how good he is. They talk some sh#te. They said matic is a better player hahah. Don’t get me wrong matic is good but no Pogba..
@Breno Rodgers: everyone? I think most people outside of united fans think he’s inconsistent with good moments.
@Paul Mallon: Ye forgot Henderson is better or can or wijnaldum or or …. Ye nobody best all round cm in the league imo. De Britney best cam and Kante best cdm
@Breno Rodgers: oops you did it again
@Breno Rodgers: abit sensitive
@Paul Mallon: coming from someone called melon
@Breno Rodgers: Naby Keita is better.
Should be a stroll in the park for United. Resting De Gea, Matic and Zlatan for the weekend. 4-0
@Enda McCallion: what makes you think it’s going to be a stroll? United got lucky against arsenal
@Acedeuce: You still sore over that Ace?
@Nollaig Elliot: just got back curious as to why he’s so confident
@Acedeuce: united murdered arsenal
@Acedeuce: since we’re bringing up old games, I’d 8 – 2 be an Arsenal supporter
@Acedeuce: my guess is the quality of the opposition. Although he was wrong, no hiding CSKA are shit.
Acedeuce….yeah lucky to score more goals , lucky to defend like hell , lucky to play with 10 men , best goalkeeping performance in the league , arsenal couldn’t capitalise on numeric advantage….only scored once ? but united were just lucky , your fking clueless mate
He was not offside as he went off the pitch as a part of play and without permission from the ref, he is considered to still be “active within the game.”
@John: go away with your facts and knowledge, they are not welcome here.
Celtic stream?
@Ollie Watson: who?
@Ollie Watson: Celtic Tenors??
@Johnny Bravo: haha
Should have been a penalty earlier, but that goal should not stand….
@Graham: Of course it stands. Blind was the 2nd player keeping him on.
@seancreaven13: blind isn’t active?
@Lefty: Blind slid off the pitch. He couldn’t get back on to effect the game therefore he is not in play. If he just strolled off voluntarily then he would still be in play. Goal should not have stood.
@Lefty: Well it’s down to the officials to decide whether he’s active or not. A defender can’t run off the pitch to play a striker offside.
So yes, in this case, the officials decided he WAS active.
Doesn’t matter in the context of the game now, but it WAS definitely a goal.
@Lefty: look up the rules, if a player leaves the pitch without permission from the ref they are still considered to be in play (Blind was considered to be on the goal line)
@Arthur Pewty: Sorry, but you’re wrong. He COULD have gotten back on the pitch, and didn’t.
Whether he leaves the pitch voluntarily or not isn’t the issue. He COULD have gotten back on the pitch, so he’s correctly deemed to be active.
@The Dude: Ya to be honest it’s a sketchy rule and on the television they were in no doubt it shouldn’t have stood and there point seemed pretty valid think it’s harsh on Blind but suppose his intentions can lead for debate!!the confusion was also led by the fact they didn’t acknowledge dzagoev as the goalscorer
@seancreaven13: he couldn’t have though…. That’s where you are wrong.
@Arthur Pewty: The point is there was nothing to prevent him coming back, nor forcing him off. Therefore the striker is potentially disadvantaged by his absence BEHIND the line… so he is deemed “active”, because he could be.
It’s a goal. Let it go ffs.