ROY KEANE BELIEVES Jack Grealish ‘would love it’ if he opted to play international football for Ireland but says the media puts too much pressure on young players to make big decisions quickly.
Grealish, who was born in Birmingham but has represented the Boys in Green at underage level, is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Ireland and England with Roy Hodgson thought to be monitoring his progress closely.
The 19-year-old decided to take a break from international football this season to concentrate on breaking into the first team at Aston Villa but admitted he was prepared to return to the Ireland set-up in September.
Having enjoyed a breakthrough season at Villa Park, Grealish decided to decline Martin O’Neill’s invitation to join-up with the senior squad for this week’s friendly against the Three Lions.
And Keane, who worked with the midfielder at Villa, believes too much pressure is being put on him to make a decision.
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“From my experience working with him, Jack is a really good kid,” Keane said on Friday. ”He’s still got a lot to do in the game and a big decision to make but whatever decision he makes will be the right one and you wish him well.
EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
“I think if he picked Ireland he would love it here but you have to respect the boy’s decision whatever he does. Obviously a lot of people are commenting about him and please god he comes to play for Ireland.
“We have to focus on the players who are here and I think the Jack situation will take care of itself over the next few months.
“He’s a really nice kid, he has a lot to do, he’s still learning. Obviously he has a lot of potential, that’s what it is at the moment.”
Grealish certainly made an impression during the second-half of the season as he became a regular under Tim Sherwood. His display in the FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool at Wembley was one performance that caught the eye but whatever happens, happens, says Keane.
“He’s a really nice kid. I think people have been too hard on him lately. If he comes to play for us, brilliant.
“If he goes to play for England, then you’ve got to respect that decision. Whether you like it or not is irrelevant, you’ve got to accept it.
“I was impressed with Jack when I was working at close quarters with him at Villa and he’s a talented kid.
“The media interest, not just in Ireland but in England, like to build these players up before they’ve done too much in the game and Jack has a lot to do yet. But he’s got the potential.
“We’ll see over the next few months how he progresses. It would be great if he was with us but, if not, we’ll just get on with it.”
Ireland face England at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday at 1pm.
'Whatever decision Jack makes it will be the right one but please god it's Ireland'
ROY KEANE BELIEVES Jack Grealish ‘would love it’ if he opted to play international football for Ireland but says the media puts too much pressure on young players to make big decisions quickly.
Grealish, who was born in Birmingham but has represented the Boys in Green at underage level, is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Ireland and England with Roy Hodgson thought to be monitoring his progress closely.
The 19-year-old decided to take a break from international football this season to concentrate on breaking into the first team at Aston Villa but admitted he was prepared to return to the Ireland set-up in September.
Having enjoyed a breakthrough season at Villa Park, Grealish decided to decline Martin O’Neill’s invitation to join-up with the senior squad for this week’s friendly against the Three Lions.
And Keane, who worked with the midfielder at Villa, believes too much pressure is being put on him to make a decision.
“From my experience working with him, Jack is a really good kid,” Keane said on Friday. ”He’s still got a lot to do in the game and a big decision to make but whatever decision he makes will be the right one and you wish him well.
“I think if he picked Ireland he would love it here but you have to respect the boy’s decision whatever he does. Obviously a lot of people are commenting about him and please god he comes to play for Ireland.
“He’s a really nice kid, he has a lot to do, he’s still learning. Obviously he has a lot of potential, that’s what it is at the moment.”
Grealish certainly made an impression during the second-half of the season as he became a regular under Tim Sherwood. His display in the FA Cup semi-final win over Liverpool at Wembley was one performance that caught the eye but whatever happens, happens, says Keane.
“He’s a really nice kid. I think people have been too hard on him lately. If he comes to play for us, brilliant.
“If he goes to play for England, then you’ve got to respect that decision. Whether you like it or not is irrelevant, you’ve got to accept it.
“I was impressed with Jack when I was working at close quarters with him at Villa and he’s a talented kid.
“We’ll see over the next few months how he progresses. It would be great if he was with us but, if not, we’ll just get on with it.”
Ireland face England at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday at 1pm.
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