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Seems that he has learned how badly his last bit of amateur psychology backfired.

He's now trying a slightly smarter approach (near the end of the article)



Stephen Ireland was warned by Giovanni Trapattoni last night that he would live to regret his decision to shun playing for his country. Ireland is enjoying his football with Manchester City, where he remains an automatic starter despite the club's vast outlay on signings, yet the midfielder continues to resist the clamour for him to return to the international fold with the Republic of Ireland.

The 23-year-old has not played for them since September 2007 and, amid some mystery and the clear suggestion that he was uncomfortable in the set-up, he has ignored the calls for him to come back. At the weekend, he poured the latest dose of fuel on to the fire by saying that his decision to retire from the international game was the best he had made.

"It's a pity and I am convinced that when he is older, he may regret this," said Trapattoni, the Ireland manager, who is preparing his team for Saturday's vital World Cup qualifier against Cyprus in Nicosia. "He is still young, like a kid and he doesn't know how he will feel in the future when he will be older. He doesn't know what he is missing. Steve, when he is older, could reflect upon his decision and say 'Why? I don't know why'."

It is a source of frustration to Trapattoni that he has had to push for World Cup qualification without arguably his most gifted midfielder. It is an issue that dogs the national team while it polarises debate in the country. But Trapattoni is wary of speaking too freely about it, lest it upset the highly committed players that he has in his squad.

"I don't want to speak with the newspapers too much about this," the Italian said. "The more you talk, the more the situation gets complicated for the team. Steve reads what I say in the papers and he closes up, like a hedgehog. I know the psychology of players."

Trapattoni would not rule out a return for Ireland one day. "In the future, if I continue in this job, I will try again," he said. "My door is not closed. Never say never. What Steve has said publicly is enough for me now.

"I don't need to speak to him. I know that I can meet with him, just not now. I saw many great champions return and two great examples are Michael Schumacher and Mike Tyson. They retire and, after two years, they wish to go back."

Ireland are unbeaten in qualifying Group 8 and a result against Cyprus would move them closer to at least a play-off spot for the finals in South Africa. Trapattoni has been cheered by an upbeat fitness update on the central defender Sean St Ledger, who has a knee problem. The Preston player sat out training yesterday today but Trapattoni said he would welcome him back into the group today (Weds) tomorrowand hopes that he will be fit to take his place alongside Richard Dunne.

if trappatoni does not want to speak to the papers, here's an idea...shut up. stevie was alledgedly bullied and feels uncomfortable. tough. deal with it, he's a blue and that's all that matters to me.

At last some sense.

If Ireland's reluctant to play & they talk him into it then he meets up with wankers like Hunt, he's just going to walk again. He has to have a desire to do it or it's a waste of time. What's the point of having a player who doesn't want to be there?

Perhaps he'll get that desire one day in the future & ask to go back.

Here's an idea. How about picking up a phone and give Stevie a call one night. Talk to him privately and ask how he feels about it instead of communicating through papers.

Hell, while he is on it maybe even tkae the one hour flight to Manchester and ask whether Stevies missus would make them a cuppa and have quiet little chat face to face.That's what I'd do.

and maybe call him by the names everyone else uses (I mean, who the fuck has every heard him called Steve Ireland??)

Stevie

Stephen

or, to you Don Trap.....Mr Superman

If the lad was being bullied while away with the Ireland team i fully understand why he would never want to return.

Through experience of being away on international duty i can see why he does not want to go back. You are basically stuck in a hotel for a week where you are told what to wear, what time to eat and what time to go to bed(well what time you need to be in your room for). You are stuck with a load of people who you may not particular like or choose to socialise with if you did not play football with them.

You will do maybe two, 2 hour sessions of football a day and then for the rest of the day, do things like team meetings, eat and rest. Its not the most exciting thing to do at the best of times but if you add bullying into that, not a nice place to be. At least when he trains with City he can go home to his family and relax and spend time with them.

I am happy for him just to play for City and stay as fresh as possible.

Sister of fu wrote:If the lad was being bullied while away with the Ireland team i fully understand why he would never want to return.

Through experience of being away on international duty i can see why he does not want to go back. You are basically stuck in a hotel for a week where you are told what to wear, what time to eat and what time to go to bed(well what time you need to be in your room for). You are stuck with a load of people who you may not particular like or choose to socialise with if you did not play football with them.

England must be a nightmare. Imagine being stuck with Rooney plus various other Scousers & cockney wankers?

I think Trappatoni is right and Stevie will regret this when he is older.
For me being able to play for your country is one of the biggest honours a footballer can achieve in their career.

Rag_hater wrote:I think Trappatoni is right and Stevie will regret this when he is older.
For me being able to play for your country is one of the biggest honours a footballer can achieve in their career.

He has played for his country though, it's not as if it's something he'll regret that he's never done; he's tried it & didn't like it.

If superman was English i'd be disappointed that he was not up for selection for his country but seeing as though he is Irish and they are totally insignificant to me then i am more than happy with his stance as it only benefits City in the long run. I would love to know exactly what has gone on though as i really thought he would be tempted back this year with it being a world cup year.

as an ireland fan im more worried about the 8 or 9 players playing week in week out in the premiership who cant get in the squad and want to be there even though we have the likes of liam miller in there who doesnt even have a club more than i am about the stephen ireland situation.

I really hope Ireland changes his mind, There should be no better privilege for a player to represent there country at the world cup. Especially for a country who more often than not doesn't qualify. I genuinely believe a Ireland team with Stephen Ireland in it would qualify to the world and make it passed the group stages. I like to see City players play for there country, especially at a world cup.

We have a big squad, No European football. This is the time he should go back, if he doesn't like it this time then fair enough.

I think he would go back to playing for them when Trappatoni isn't the manager.

It does seem very simple to me. It's a straight choice between Hunt and Ireland.

Id like to see him play in a world cup and excel himself.

Problem is the squad might not like the fact they do the hard work and get Ireland qualified, then Stevie turns up for the glory games.

Although if he score a few and got them to the quarters or further, im sure they wouldnt moan too much.

After all Stevies martial arts and stamina training he ought to just march straight into that squad and anhillate that little shit Hunt rendering him unfit to ever be chosen for the R.O.I squad ever again - Stevies too much of a man to do that - way out of Cunt´s league

I for one am glad he does not play for the national team because that means he won't get injured on international duty.

Besides I still find it funny that they bullied him first and now that he turned out to be such a fantastic player they want him back.

I'd tell them to fuck off too if I was him.

trappatoni does not want Ireland... it fucks with his system.

If he wanted him back, he'd pull all the stops to do so.

I agree with Slim, a new manager and he'll be back.

Original Dub wrote:trappatoni does not want Ireland... it fucks with his system.

If he wanted him back, he'd pull all the stops to do so.

I agree with Slim, a new manager and he'll be back.

I don't think the manager's the problem, he bailed out before Trapp arrived didn't he? I think there are certain players he wants nowt to do with & also that he wants to use his energy to be the best he can with City. No offence mate but as a non Irishman that suits me fine! It would be the same for me if he was English tbf.

From a selfish point of view I hope he never plays for ireland again.