IRELAND MANAGER MARTIN O’Neill has spoken to Stephen Ireland about the possibility of making a comeback to the international set-up.
Yesterday, a provisional squad for the friendly with Serbia on 5 March was named with Stoke midfielder Ireland still in exile seven years on from the infamous ‘Grannygate’ episode.
O’Neill has expressed his openness to the idea of 27-year-old Ireland returning when he took over the job late last year and has revealed that the pair spoke over the phone recently.
And while the chat was a productive one, O’Neill intends to meet the Cork native in person.
“I’ve spoken to Stephen,” said O’Neill. “He hasn’t had very much playing time in the last six or seven weeks. I hate to use the old cliche of a slate being wiped clean but let him go find his feet at Stoke for a start.
“I want to go and see him personally and I will do that in the foreseeable future. He is warming to that fact but I wouldn’t say any more than that.
“The last thing I want to do is to make a comment that would end up in dispute.”
Another player O’Neill has discussed a possible return with is former number one Shay Given.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper is currently enjoying a successful loan spell at Middlesbrough since joining from Aston Villa in November but the 93-day period comes to an end after this weekend’s meeting with Leeds meaning he has got a decision to make.
O’Neill chose not to go into detail about what was said during a conversation with Given but explained that he will not be linking up with the squad this time around.
I’ve spoken to Shay but I don’t really want to go into a deep conversation about what transpired. Essentially Shay has got his enthusiasm back for the game again as he is now playing.
“That loan ends at the weekend and there is a choice to go back to Aston Villa. I think he has enjoyed it immensely at Middlesbrough and I will monitor the situation.
“For me, when the games come around I would like to be mostly picking the players who I think are the best and in form at that time. So he has a choice at the end of the season and hopefully he will get involved.
“I don’t think there is a place at Aston Villa so it might elsewhere. I’ll see how things develop.”
Very very tired of this story now. Stephen Ireland hasn’t played good football for about 4 years IMO. He’s at times shown glimpses of his ability but not enough to warrant this publicity or a place in the new regime under O’Neill
Why are we still entertaining the idea of this f**kwit playing for Ireland. 7 years later acting like we have a Star player in exile
I think the argument is that he is better with a football than the Paul Greene’s and Darryl Murphy’s of the world . If he does return and Martin can get the best out if him than it will be a positive thing for the Irish national team . Simple .
Warming to it ?, why are they even still going on about this dope !. It’s should be an honour to play for Ireland, and not something you have to ‘warm’ to !. I’d rather see a player pulled from the conference League with a bit of heart and desire than to keep chasing this moron !
Yes “warming to it” because he could do just fine without gowls like you abusing him any chance they get
I’m sorry but that’s rubbish. I would not rather have conference footballers with heart and desire play for Ireland because those kinda players haven’t done us much good recently, have they? We need our most technical footballers in the squad. He is one of them. He mightn’t light up the team at all in the end but he is still worth pursuing. He hasn’t played for Ireland for 7 years so you’d expect people wouldn’t care about his indiscretions any more and yet you call him a ‘dope’ and a ‘moron’. Why would a player want to come over to Dublin every month with guys like you ready to abuse him? Have you moved on at all Verbal? Water under the bridge. O’Neill can pick who he likes.
The point is that the very large majority don’t want to see him back , simples
I dont mind if he returns tbh, he hasn’t been playing well lately but I can’t think of any Irish player except Coleman and Reid that are standing out this year.
And just move on from all that BS about grannies. Who really cares anyway? I don’t lose any sleep over it
Ireland can’t even get a start with the mediocre Prem Lge team he plays for. I sincerely hope that he’s not brought back into the national set-up. Even in his ‘prime’ he was never up to much and he’s now a journeyman who will cause more problems that he will solve. Simple.
Phteven who?
It’s going to end up in dispute here, granny, Cork, Roy Keane etc
I know this story is becoming a pain in the arse but did we ever think that Keane would ever be involved with the Ireland setup ever again, and for god sake can we get over this grannygate crap and let the lad play some football because he’s not a bad footballer
Whats his address, all he wants is a few begging letters which I’d be glad to send to him? NAWT!!!!
For Stephen Ireland to be “Warming to the idea” of an international return is disgraceful. Looks like it will be on his terms when and if he returns and this coming from a player who is in and out of the first team at Stoke. This story has been running for the last 5 years now. He either wants to play for Ireland or he doesn’t.
We’re wasting our time talking about this poor lad. This lad has wasted his talent as well as destroyed managers trust in him. Next chapter please. Come on ROI.
I’m sorry but how can you hope to generate any team spirit if you woo him and take this me-feiner back.. He’s not even that great anymore..
He’s ‘warming’ to it?? Ah that’s nice of him. Tick tock Stephen. Not many players get the chance to play for their country. This is realistically your last chance at this, don’t blow it & regret it for the rest of your life.