SOCCER INTARNATIONAL NEWS: REPUBLIC OF Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli said yesterday none of the players in Britain who became eligible to play for the Republic as a result of rule changes made by Fifa at the start of last summer have been approached with a view to accepting a call-up.
Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan, Bolton City defender Gary Cahill and Anton Ferdinand of Sunderland are amongst the players affected by the change which allows for a transfer of international allegiance subject to certain conditions but regardless of age. Previously such an application could only be made until a player was 21 years old.
At the time, Giovanni Trapattoni maintained the change was a significant one from his point of view and that he would seek to capitalise on it.
“It’s very, very important news,” he said in June. “When I was coach with Italy there was a player who would not play for us because he hoped to play for Argentina and so I am familiar with what happens in these situations.
“I know we have many young players in England who might have played for the English under-21s. There are maybe three or four who could certainly strengthen our squad and we can have a look at them again and see if they want to play with us. Maybe they don’t want to play with us but it’s important that we are able to ask.”
A number of the players were considered unlikely to make the switch with West Ham’s Mark Noble and Cahill, for instance, believed to be anxious to win senior honours for England, but a number of other former English under-21 internationals, including Nolan and Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan, were believed to be keen on pursuing the opportunity that declaring for Ireland would offer.
But speaking at a ceremony in Dublin Castle yesterday to mark the start of Dublin’s year as the European Capital of Sport, Tardelli said that, some eight months later, none of the players has been approached about their intentions.
“There are many players who have played with Scotland and England but I don’t know whether they want to come and play with Ireland,” he said.
“Maybe, it’s possible,” he added before replying “no” when asked directly had any been contacted. When the case of Tottenham midfielder, Jamie O’Hara, currently on loan at Portsmouth, was mentioned specifically, he said: “O’Hara is a player who it is possible could play for us but he has played for the English under-21s, I don’t know if he wants to come here.”
Tardelli went on to suggest that the Irish squad for the next European Championship campaign – the draw for which takes place on Sunday in Warsaw – would be largely unchanged from the one that narrowly missed out on a place in the World Cup.
“I think we need to go forward and now we need to find the new players. We have many new names. We have (Greg) Cunningham, (Séamus) Coleman and (James) McCarthy . . . Many players.
“I’m very happy because, we need the younger players but also the older players because the younger players need the older players. And the older players deserve to remain in the national squad because they played very well for the national team last time.”
If Trapattoni does decide to bring new blood into the group, he may make a start with the process on February 22nd when he is scheduled to name his squad for the friendly game against Brazil at the Emirates on March 2nd.
In the meantime, Tardelli welcomed the moves made earlier this week by strikers Robbie Keane and Leon Best to Celtic and Newcastle respectively.
The Italian acknowledged that it would have been preferable for the 29-year-old to continue playing in the English Premier league but, he insisted: “It’s important for us that Robbie Keane plays.
“At Celtic it’s possible for him to be playing and in good condition for matches. Also, I’m very happy that Leon Best has gone to Newcastle to play, that’s important for us.”
Asked about reports that McCarthy might consider switching his international allegiance, Tardelli said he had not heard anything to suggest the midfielder is unhappy with playing for Ireland and he dismissed repeated suggestion in the media that Trapattoni might take another job – only yesterday sections of the Italian press were linking him with a short stint in charge of World Cup finalists Nigeria.
“If you open the internet any day you can see possibilities for Giovanni.
“He’s a very good trainer who is very possible.
“ But from what I know, yes (he is committed to staying in the Ireland job).
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