STEVEN REID SAYS he would come out of international retirement for Ireland’s Euro 2012 adventure – but only if manager Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad was hit badly by injuries.
The midfielder would be in line to face off against the likes of Xavi and Iniesta this summer but he decided to hang up the green jersey in 2010.
After a career blighted by injury, the call was made in a bid to prolong his club career.
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Now however, the West Brom man says he’s open to the idea of a comeback.
“Next summer, if there were a few injuries and they were in desperate need then you never know.”
But despite the bittersweet feeling watching his former team-mates cruise past Estonia in the play-offs, Reid says he doesn’t regret his exit from the Irish set-up.
“I think retiring from international football has helped me. With international football I would have had another four, five or six games and instead I get the chance to recover. I think it’s helped.”
Ireland were drawn in Group C in last Friday’s ceremony in Kiev, along with world and European champions Spain, Italy and Croatia.
Manager, Trapattoni is expected to arrive in Poland today to begin his search for a base for his charges.
'You never know' - Steven Reid open to Euro call from Trap
STEVEN REID SAYS he would come out of international retirement for Ireland’s Euro 2012 adventure – but only if manager Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad was hit badly by injuries.
The midfielder would be in line to face off against the likes of Xavi and Iniesta this summer but he decided to hang up the green jersey in 2010.
After a career blighted by injury, the call was made in a bid to prolong his club career.
Now however, the West Brom man says he’s open to the idea of a comeback.
“I made the decision to prolong my club career and at the moment it’s going really well,” he told the midlands newspaper the Express and Star (see more quotes at Sky Sports).
“Next summer, if there were a few injuries and they were in desperate need then you never know.”
But despite the bittersweet feeling watching his former team-mates cruise past Estonia in the play-offs, Reid says he doesn’t regret his exit from the Irish set-up.
“I think retiring from international football has helped me. With international football I would have had another four, five or six games and instead I get the chance to recover. I think it’s helped.”
Ireland were drawn in Group C in last Friday’s ceremony in Kiev, along with world and European champions Spain, Italy and Croatia.
Manager, Trapattoni is expected to arrive in Poland today to begin his search for a base for his charges.
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