RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Manchester City Ace Stephen Ireland Not Thinking About National Team Return
The Cork-born midfielder isn't likely to don a green shirt anytime soon...
| Bet: | Returns: | Aston Villa £52.00 | Draw £38.00 | Manchester City £16.15 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Aston Villa £55.00 | Draw £33.00 | Manchester City £17.30 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Aston Villa £50.00 | Draw £36.00 | Manchester City £17.27 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Aston Villa £55.00 | Draw £36.00 | Manchester City £16.70 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Aston Villa £46.50 | Draw £34.50 | Manchester City £16.80 |
|
May 11, 2009 3:59:23 AM
Manchester City star Stephen Ireland insists he is not reconsidering his decision to take himself out of contention for the Republic of Ireland squad.
The 22-year-old midfielder first withdrew from the Irish set-up before the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic last September. The exact reason for his early retirement from international football was never really explained, though speculation still abounds that he ultimately quit due to being mercilessly teased by his team-mates for allegedly wearing a hairpiece.
"I don't think there is a future there to be honest," Ireland told local reporters.
"It is unlikely I will go back. I am happy at the moment with my club and my family.
"It's a shame the way I left. It wasn't the right way to leave but even before that, I thought something was stirring up.
"It was a ticking time-bomb and I just didn't enjoy my time there," he added.
"Sometimes, it is hard to say I'll never go back because anything can change and it's got nothing to do with the staff, the management or the players. But right now I'm just happy with my club."
Ireland has blossomed into one of City's top performers, his box-to-box displays making him a strong candidate for the team's Player of the Year after having just missed out on the PFA's young player award.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
The 22-year-old midfielder first withdrew from the Irish set-up before the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic last September. The exact reason for his early retirement from international football was never really explained, though speculation still abounds that he ultimately quit due to being mercilessly teased by his team-mates for allegedly wearing a hairpiece.
"I don't think there is a future there to be honest," Ireland told local reporters.
"It is unlikely I will go back. I am happy at the moment with my club and my family.
"It's a shame the way I left. It wasn't the right way to leave but even before that, I thought something was stirring up.
"It was a ticking time-bomb and I just didn't enjoy my time there," he added.
"Sometimes, it is hard to say I'll never go back because anything can change and it's got nothing to do with the staff, the management or the players. But right now I'm just happy with my club."
Ireland has blossomed into one of City's top performers, his box-to-box displays making him a strong candidate for the team's Player of the Year after having just missed out on the PFA's young player award.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
|
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
3 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Capello remains one of the greats of the game
After tasting success wherever he had gone previously, the coach will look upon his time at Wembley as an incomplete job rather than a complete failure
-
Can Suarez repeat Cantona's grand comeback?
The divisive Uruguayan can look to history when he starts against United on Saturday for the first time since receiving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra
-
Key battles: Manchester United v Liverpool
The former Reds defender believes that the Uruguayan must put controversy to the back of his mind when his team face the champions
-
The importance of Champions League qualification
The Ruhr side's remarkable run in Europe's elite tournament saw their revenue unexpectedly soar last season, but some teams are structured to depend on such results to survive
-
Cartoon: Capello's managerial merry-go-round
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
Advertisement
Advertisement
