Jump to content
I am no longer developing resources for Invision Community Suite ×
By fans, for fans. By fans, for fans. By fans, for fans.

Stephen Ireland

Snookie

By Snookie
in General Football Discussion

 Share

Recommended Posts

Snookie

Snookie

Posted
Posted

What an utterly deluded fool.

 

Would have been nice if the journalist had asked him about his two 'dead' grannies or the Irish players reaction when he turned up for the squad with a hair transplant. Might have been more illuminating but the interview reads like something where he has final copy approval and was conducted with the t***s agent sitting in the room.

 

Stephen Ireland exclusive: I will NEVER play for 'arrogant' Trapattoni - even if Ireland make the 2010 World Cup/b]

 

Stephen Ireland has ruled out a return to the international scene - even if the Republic of Ireland make next summer's World Cup.

 

The Manchester City star branded Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni "arrogant" and said that had made him more determined to stick by his decision.

 

Ireland has not played for his country for two years, standing by his self-imposed exile after revealing he hated meeting up with the squad for international duty.

 

While his former international team-mates are preparing for Saturday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Italy, Ireland will be spending time with his girlfriend and young family.

 

And in an exclusive interview with Mirror Sport, Ireland blamed Trapattoni's perceived arrogance for making him even more determined to stay away.

 

"Even with the prospect of the World Cup, it hasn't crossed my mind once about going back," said Ireland. "I never felt part of the squad and I never will.

 

"I met Trapattoni for a chat at a hotel near Manchester Airport last year but that did nothing for me.

 

"It made no sense whatseover. In fact, I felt like there was a lot of arrogance going on, so I just felt like I wasn't really interested.

 

"Me and my financial adviser, who's looked after me all my life and is someone I really trust, sat down with Trapattoni, his right-hand man and Liam Brady.

 

"In the middle of chatting, like we are now, he'd have four different phones going off and he kept leaving the room to talk to people.

 

"He'd come back, say 'sorry where was I?' but then another one would go off and after the third of fourth time this happened, I head another phone ringing.

 

"Trapattoni went over to where the phone was ringing and got it out of one of his bags. We were just sat there like, 'what is going on?'.

 

"After that we had a chat and, I guess he shouldn't have to sell it to me. But I think he should have made some sort of effort to sell it to me, and he just never really did that.

 

"I think he felt like I'd just want to come running back, because I think at the time he didn't rate me as a player.

 

"But that was before last season. Since then he hasn't spoken to me once. Then, over the summer, Ireland had a game away against Bulgaria.

 

"A week before that game I was in my garden, playing with the kids. I answered my phone by accident, as I was checking the time, and it was Trapattoni.

 

"He asked me if there was a possibility of meeting up in the future. I hadn't given it any thought, but I said guess there was no harm in meeting him.

 

"I thought he meant in the next few days, for the Bulgaria game. I said 'when?' and he said 'four months'. I thought that was weird, but I said I suppose it wouldn't do any harm.

 

"But I think he made that call for his own benefit, rather than mine, because he said to me 'Is it okay if I tell the Press I've spoken to you and there's a chance of you coming back?'.

 

"I said 'you can tell people we've spoken and maybe we'll meet up in the future, but don't say there's a chance of me coming back because there probably isn't'.

 

"As soon as he switched from taking about meeting up with me to announcing it to the media, I knew what his agenda was."

 

Ireland famously lied about the deaths of two grandmothers to be excused international duty, and was ridiculed when his deceit was exposed.

 

But he candidly admitted he had never enjoyed being away on international duty, from when he was an aspiring teenager coming through the Ireland ranks.

 

"My parents encouraged me to play and said it was really important for my development," said Ireland.

 

"I played for the Under-14s, Under-15s and so on. But as soon as I came over here and signed my contract with City, I said 'that's it'. I rejected going to a lot of the squads.

 

"I got called up to the full squad under Brian Kerr, then we had a massive fall-out. I stayed away for two or three years, which was a blessing in disguise.

 

"Then Steve Staunton called me up, and I'd just broken into the City team, so I felt I had to go. But after two or three squads I was thinking 'what am I doing here?'.

 

"There were times I'd finish a game with City at 8pm, then I was meant to meet up with the Ireland squad at 10pm in Dublin.

 

"I'd just ring up and say I don't feel well. There was nothing wrong with me, I just had no intention of ever going. I just never enjoyed it.

 

"I know fans will say 'well every other player does it', and that's fine, fair play. But I'm not bothered.

 

"A lot of the lads here at City didn't think I'd stand by my decision not to play for Ireland and I was like 'told you so'."

 

Ireland admitted he still watches his country on television whenever they play, but said he felt so removed from the international scene it is as if he was never involved.

 

"When I watch Ireland games it's weird," he said. "It's like I was never there and I don't miss it all if I'm honest.

 

"People forget that I only played six games. I just seem to be into the routine and the mindset that when the international break comes around, I'm not there.

 

"I love being able to do things with my kids. During the last international break they were about to start school, so it was nice to take them away for a few days

 

"When the international break comes around it's like 'great, what am I doing with the kids', not 'oh I hope I'm not in the squad'.

 

"A lot of people would probably think I'd love to go to the World Cup, but to be honest it hasn't really crossed my mind once.

 

"I hope they get there, it would be great for the country if they did. It would be a massive achievement for the manager and the players."

 

Despite being a rarity in terms of his refusal to play for his country, Ireland claimed more players will follow his lead in the future, with internationals losing their pull.

 

"Personally, I think internationals are going to be something of the past," he said. "The pride of it and all that, I just think it's getting lesser and lesser.

 

"Players these days don't see as pride in their country, they see it more as a chore, you know 'God, I have to go again'. That was the way it always was for me.

 

"I think you'll be surprised how many players - young ones at that - who will retire from international football after the World Cup.

 

"Look how many games they play a year, and all the pressure from club football, it's hard to see many playes really enjoying international football any more."

Boca

Boca

Posted
Posted

Around the time he had the falling out with Brian Kerr he said he would play for England if called up. Surprisingly enough the call never came.

Kite

Kite

Posted
Posted
I like how he feels he had to be "sold" on playing for his country!

 

Idiot.

Brought along his "Financial Advisor" and all. Extraordinary mindset to the guy, seems to have little or no passion for the game.

Knox_Harrington

Knox_Harrington

Posted
Posted

He's an oddball and could express himself better but it's an honest attitude. He doesn't like international football and has acted accordingly by retiring and doesn't regret his decision. Fair play to him. Good player as well.

Knox_Harrington

Knox_Harrington

Posted
Posted
Talent wasted on a born loser like him.

Why is he a loser? He's playing a very high level and keeping his place in the richest side in the world where he could easily be dismissed as unfashionable or a loser in seconds.

D.Boon

D.Boon

Posted
Posted

Don't see too much wrong with it. He comes across a bit full of himself but if he'd rather play with his kids than play for his country i have no beef with that. Presumably those getting upset by it are the forum Irish contingent?

 

I'm sure the reaction would be different if he played for us.

Eskimo

Eskimo

Posted
Posted
He's an oddball and could express himself better but it's an honest attitude. He doesn't like international football and has acted accordingly by retiring and doesn't regret his decision. Fair play to him. Good player as well.

 

Agree, also the family touch seems genuine.

CarraLegend

CarraLegend

Posted
Posted

Good on him, despite Cobs thinking every footballer ever loves playing for their country loads clearly dont give a f***. Good on him, International football is s**** and its not asif they'll ever win anything or even have a chance anyway.

Duncan Disorderly

Duncan Disorderly

Posted
Posted
Presumably those getting upset by it are from the Irish continent? ;)

I am of Ireland, and the holy land of Ireland.

Please, sir, come and dance with me in Ireland.

 

Couldn't care less about international football myself.

Swipe

Swipe

Posted
Posted (edited)
Seriously, if gerrard and torres said we're never playing international football again, how many people on here would really care?

 

Fair point!

 

But they've - IMO - got a reputation for being humble and honest guys, despite their talent.

 

Ireland hasn't, really.

 

I find him an odd character, TBF.

 

I don't care about international football at all though, so it's up to him!

Edited by Swipe
crisps

crisps

Posted
Posted

Been thinking about why I don't like international football nowadays, remember in my early teens I used to like watching England (a bit) but now I really couldnt care less about the national team, unless it was like the WC finals which makes it's an excuse to go out for a few drinks but not really bothered about that.

 

Most football fans I'd imagine prefer their club teams and hate it when domestic season gets broken up by pointless friendlies then you have players getting injured in these pointless matches and I think over the years the media circus and hype behind england players has become far too much plus then on match days you have the stupid band and all the chav idiots in bars signing 'England till i die' - 'No surrender to the IRA' etc which makes you think most people that care about Int footy nowadays are just bellends.

 

It'd be interesting to find out what other countries views are on international football are though as when I think of the Spanish national team, I don't have anything against any of their players, although this may be different for a Madrid fan as he may not like Barca players etc but the players overseas seem to come across as more professional which bring me to my main point about why I don't like it which is the players...

 

Now being a liverpool fan, I may be slightly biased but from teams like arsenal, man utd, chelsea you can accept players like Giggs etc that seem to be real professionals but I think the main reason I dont like the national team is that i struggle to get behind and support players who just come across as total w*****s etc Rooney, A-Cole, Terry, Neville...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

Home

Notifications

PMs
×
×
  • Create New...