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Ireland to join Sundireland?

  • 17-04-2008 04:36AM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭


    Some very strong rumours about this at the moment. Here's an article -

    http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=662181
    17/04/2008 03:56
    Keane Chasing City's Ireland

    Manchester City are preparing to sell unsettled midfielder Stephen Ireland due to his erratic behaviour off the pitch this season

    Sunderland have reportedly lodged an £8 million bid for the Republic of Ireland international, which City are set to accept.

    The 21-year-old’s contract expires at the end of next season, and as there has been no hint of discussions regarding an extension it seems clear that those in charge at Eastlands want him out.

    Antics

    Ireland has been involved in a number of high-profile incidents this term. Most prominent among these was when he pulled out of the Republic of Ireland squad in September after claiming that his grandmother had passed away.

    This was uncovered as a lie, at which point the player insisted it was a different grandmother who had died – which was also revealed to be false.

    He eventually admitted that he had returned home to comfort his girlfriend, who had suffered a miscarriage.

    Keen Keane

    Sunderland boss Roy Keane got a first-hand glimpse of Ireland’s bizarre behaviour when he revealed his Superman underpants after scoring the winner against the Black Cats at Eastlands.

    But Keane nonetheless expressed his admiration for his young compatriot, insisting that his qualities as a footballer are more important than his character flaws.

    He said: “Whatever problems he has, he is a very, very good player.”

    The £8 million quoted seems a lot of money to me and I could see the club being tempted to take it if true.

    Each week you are guaranteed threads on every City fans' forum about hating Ireland and wanting him out. The majority would certainly not be sorry to see him go, especially if he isn't interested in signing a new contract. I've always defended him based on his obvious ability so I hope it wouldn't be one of those deals that comes back to haunt us.


«1

Comments

  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,956 ✭✭✭CHD


    Theres alot more to come from Ireland.Moving to Sunderland would be a mistake imo but 8M is a great price!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,452 ✭✭✭✭Dont be at yourself


    I reckon he could do a job for Sunderland. He could be pushed out at Man City, Thaskin has been quoted as saying there will be more midfielders arriving in the Summer.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,478 ✭✭✭Bubs101


    Xavi6 wrote: »



    The £8 million quoted seems a lot of money to me and I could see the club being tempted to take it if true.

    .

    But it's not really serious money for City. Thaksin's money means they don't have to sell no matter how good the offer is if they want the player. TBH, I think it's a no brainer if they're chasing players like Diego and Ronaldinho that ireland won't be there next year


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,625 ✭✭✭✭BaZmO*


    Not surprised that City want rid. It'd be a good buy for Sunderland but would the club be glamorous enough for young Stevie?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 13,224 ✭✭✭✭SantryRed


    Could be a good thing for him to go to Sundireland.
    Keane could cut out all the ****e that usually comes with the lad.

    Don't think it'll happen though.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,312 ✭✭✭Limerick Dude


    Think it would be a step down for Ireland to go to side who will be in the bottom half and possibly fighting relegation for the next few season, i wouldnt be suprised if a better club came in for him.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,480 ✭✭✭wheres me jumpa


    Im still not sure about Ireland. No doubt he has ability but he has yet to prove himself over the course of a season, or the course of a month for that matter. His temperment will be a big turn off for any suitors, something Keane would relish/be capable of dealing with. With this in mind I dont think he would fetch more than 8 mil sterling.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    Good move for Sunderland (Quality Player)
    Good move for Ireland (Keane might reign him in)
    Good move for City (Decent Cash + Removal of trouble maker + opening up space for someone better)

    Could see that happening.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,488 ✭✭✭dc69


    Bubs101 wrote: »
    But it's not really serious money for City. Thaksin's money means they don't have to sell no matter how good the offer is if they want the player. TBH, I think it's a no brainer if they're chasing players like Diego and Ronaldinho that ireland won't be there next year

    Id have serious questions about Thaksins money,just look at his previous business records.

    If he were to start splashing 100's of millions in the summer,if I was a city fan I would be very anxcious.He aint gona get it back because

    A-The stadium isnt bringin in that much
    B-The club aint the biggest,in terms of support numbers etc

    hes a dodgy operator,mark my words.Something huge will happen to city in the next few years,in a bad way!

    He is wealthy but he isnt Abramovich wealthy,i.e he cant afford to be ploughing in huge amounts of personal wealth,unless he is extremely stupid.

    As far as Steven Ireland,he is a good player.I think City would be stupid to sell him.If they want to have success,they have to have a big squad and he is a very good squad player to have.

    *PHB: Edit due to dodgy legal issues*


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,480 ✭✭✭wheres me jumpa


    dc69 wrote: »

    A-The stadium isnt bringin in that much
    B-The club aint the biggest,in terms of support numbers etc

    Really? I would have thought they had an excellent stadium and were very well supported.


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  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 31,122 Mod ✭✭✭✭Insect Overlord


    Think it would be a step down for Ireland to go to side who will be in the bottom half and possibly fighting relegation for the next few season, i wouldnt be suprised if a better club came in for him.

    Ahem, Newcastle fan alert... :rolleyes: ;):D
    PHB wrote: »
    Good move for Sunderland (Quality Player)
    Good move for Ireland (Keane might reign him in)
    Good move for City (Decent Cash + Removal of trouble maker + opening up space for someone better)

    Could see that happening.

    I'd agree with these points. If this story proves to be true it could be a great move for all involved.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭shane86


    Since when do they want rid of him for his behaviour? Sven seems to treat him like a son! Never stops singing his praises :confused:

    Career suicide for S Ireland tbh to go there. Sunderland made some woefully bad buys with an awful lot of money, if I were a player I wouldnt go near them.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,983 ✭✭✭leninbenjamin


    shane86 wrote: »
    Career suicide for S Ireland tbh to go there. Sunderland made some woefully bad buys with an awful lot of money, if I were a player I wouldnt go near them.

    I'd be surprised if this was repeated to be honest. seemingly they had nothing in the way of a decent scouting network at the start of the season, which has supposedly been improved upon vastly over the year. secondly Keane has kept them up (barring disaster) in spite of this. he appears to be learning from his mistakes very quickly. i mean at the start of the season Sunderland looked woeful, but recently they've started to look an awful lot better, against City they certainly deserved a result. it mightn't take as much as people think to turn them into a passable mid-table side, as opposed to relegation contenders. someone like Ireland, and a decent finisher to play along side Kwenye and i'm sure you'll see them start to convert a lot more chances.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭estebancambias


    Yeah, doesn't Sven like him?

    I remember reading back in December on 606, and all the City fans were singing his praises. Not literally of course as I actually couldn't here them singing.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,934 ✭✭✭OhNoYouDidn't


    I actually hope he joins Sunderland, gets relegated with them and follows the conveyor belt of Irish Sunderland players into obscurity.

    Then I wont have to listen to the saga that is his life anymore.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    dc69 wrote: »
    A-The stadium isnt bringin in that much
    B-The club aint the biggest,in terms of support numbers etc

    What are you basing that on?

    Remember, we're the club that got 34,000 every week into Maine Road when we were in Division 2. It would have been more had the ground been bigger. The fan base is most certainly there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 729 ✭✭✭scruff321


    An Fhile wrote: »
    Ahem, Newcastle fan alert... :rolleyes: ;):D



    I'd agree with these points. If this story proves to be true it could be a great move for all involved.

    please god he doesnt go to newcastle:eek:,the only thing theyv been great for the last number of years is turning good players into bad player!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,688 ✭✭✭kerash


    I'd say if city get a decent offer they ship him out pronto. The lad obviously has tallent, but is his own worst enemy. If he goes to Sunderland maybe Roy can beat some sense into him:D and Niall can hug him, best of both worlds:p


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,681 ✭✭✭ziggy


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,688 ✭✭✭kerash


    ziggy wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    Probably be more of a case of being pushed out...

    or because you dont like oasis?:p


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,820 ✭✭✭grames_bond


    scruff321 wrote: »
    please god he doesnt go to newcastle:eek:,the only thing theyv been great for the last number of years is turning good players into bad player!

    ...and/or injuring them!!! come on ireland make the right decision!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭shane86


    it mightn't take as much as people think to turn them into a passable mid-table side, as opposed to relegation contenders.


    Sunderland iirc spent the second highest amount of any club in the world in the transfer market. Whilst miracles dont happen overnight (even though some rather short sightedly speculated that with Roy at the helm they would be a top 3 team by the end of the season) it is a pretty bad return so far.

    actually hope he joins Sunderland, gets relegated with them and follows the conveyor belt of Irish Sunderland players into obscurity.

    Then I wont have to listen to the saga that is his life anymore

    Gazza, Maradona and Paul McGrath all had their off field problems. Reckon it would have been good for their countries if they were offed at the first opportunity to a bunch of no mark teams?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,203 ✭✭✭Attractive Nun


    shane86 wrote:
    Sunderland iirc spent the second highest amount of any club in the world in the transfer market.

    That surely can't be true...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 613 ✭✭✭smog


    An Fhile wrote: »
    Ahem, Newcastle fan alert... :rolleyes: ;):D

    heh so true ...
    PHB wrote: »
    Good move for Sunderland (Quality Player)
    Good move for Ireland (Keane might reign him in)
    Good move for City (Decent Cash + Removal of trouble maker + opening up space for someone better)

    Could see that happening.

    Genuinly i could see this happening for all the reasons above,

    but also more for the reason that i dont think anyone else would take him on, but Keane would see that as a project.chalange


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    That surely can't be true...

    Not quite true. They actually came in 4th

    EDIT: I've taken this quote from the City fans site I frequent. It basically sums up Ireland's situation with the fans -
    I couldn't care less that Ireland wears a wig. I don't care that his car is pink. I don't care that he has stupid Facebook (or whatever) pages. Ireland, for some reason, has joined the long line of players who City fans slag off the minute something goes wrong. Elano and Corluka have been shite for weeks now but anyone who slagged them off would be banned from Manchester. Dunne has had his bad games (more than usual). Petrov got himself sent off for being a knob when we needed him most. Bianchi couldn't wait to get back to Italy cos he couldn't hack it over here. But for some reason Ireland is to blame for us going from 4th to 9th. He is a very good player who has played out of position every game bar 1. A game in which he was the best player on the park. Out played a £17m Brazilian and a ginger England legend

    Like Vassell, he's an easy target for a lot of fans who fail to take into consideration that he isn't utilised in the way he should be and gets very few run outs in his best position.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,312 ✭✭✭Limerick Dude


    smog wrote: »
    heh so true ...



    Genuinly i could see this happening for all the reasons above,

    but also more for the reason that i dont think anyone else would take him on, but Keane would see that as a project.chalange

    Pfft, ill have the last laugh when Ireland has a huge bust up with keane and he becomes even more screwed up in the head. :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,820 ✭✭✭grames_bond


    and aparantly on top of all of this he is considering RETIRING from international football....ffs he is 21!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭estebancambias


    I can see what they mean to be honest.

    The guy has talent, I'm sure I read that Elano said he has so much tricks and skills in training, but he is way too lightweight...he needs to do some serious strength training in the summer.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 384 ✭✭cm2000


    i think people are overstating how much keane has spent saying he's spent nearly as much as the top teams. the fact is that he has had to buy pretty much an entire team and one that can compete in the top league in the world. how many original players are still in the 1st 11?? nosworthy, collins, whitehead.. is all off the top of my head.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,727 ✭✭✭✭Sherifu


    Could be a good move for all involved. Can see it happening.


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