INTERNATIONAL SOCCER: ESPANYOL DEFENDER Steve Finnan is likely to be named by Giovanni Trapattoni today in his Republic of Ireland squad for the crucial forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Italy but the prospect of Stephen Ireland returning to the fold looks as distant as ever after the Manchester City midfielder said he is "happy as I am right now," in relation to his international exile.
In an interview published by a British daily newspaper over the weekend, Ireland yet again managed to send out rather mixed messages regarding his international future with the Corkman also appearing to hint at one point he would welcome another approach from members of the Irish management team.
His suggestion, however, that he had seen reports of such an approach having already been made and that the story was untrue, prompted the FAI into a clarification of the situation with a spokesman stating: “Contrary to reports in the article about press claims, neither Giovanni Trapattoni, nor any other member of the senior management team, have made any comment about recontacting Stephen Ireland since their meeting other than to say if he wants to play for his country, it is up to him to declare himself available.”
Ireland certainly doesn’t give any indication of being on the verge of doing that at present.
“When I first got into the Irish squad when I was 17 I was so proud,” he says. “It’s not that I am not patriotic and I know much of this is my fault. But it’s sad the way some people still want to criticise me. I know the Irish thing will take longer to fix. I just think I am quite happy as I am right now.
“I read in the press that (Giovanni) Trapattoni and Liam Brady have said they have contacted me,” he continues. “Well, they haven’t. That’s all I can say. Never say never, though.”
Ireland’s manager at City, Mark Hughes, said he feels Ireland is happy with the situation as it stands and confirmed he is less anxious than his predecessor at Eastlands, Sven Goran Eriksson, had been to see the 22 year-old back in the international fold.
“At the moment, Stephen is comfortable with the decision he has made and doesn’t feel the need to go back,” he said. “We have talked and it’s not a case of me trying to persuade him not to become an international again but we are probably benefiting because he is able to rest and recuperate when the guys are on international duty.”
Ireland played in Manchester City’s 1-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday. Shay Given and Richard Dunne also played a full game while Robbie Keane laid on Tottenham’s second goal in a 2-1 win at Aston Villa.
Darren O’Dea made a late play for a call-up with Celtic’s first goal in the Scottish League Cup final against Rangers. Aiden McGeady scored a second from the penalty spot as Gordon Strachan’s side won 2-0 after extra time.
Damien Duff, Paul McShane and Keith Andrews were all unused substitutes over the weekend but should be included by Trapattoni while Finnan looks set to be named despite not even making the bench for Espanyol’s 3-3 draw with real Mallorca.
The right back, who missed last month’s qualifier against Georgia because of injury, said last week he is fit but the 32-year-old is struggling to break back into the relegation-threatened Spanish club’s first team after a succession of fitness problems and the collapse of a proposed move back to England.
