Noel King has shaken up the Irish squad by recalling exiled Andy Reid, Kevin Doyle, Darron Gibson, and Celtic’s Anthony Stokes in his selection announcement for the final qualifiers against Germany and Kazakhstan.
“I do regret not playing but I was embarrassed and I was so angry that I didn’t actually get on the pitch for even a second at the Euros, I just felt I couldn’t come back and play for him again.” – Darron Gibson tells the Irish Independent.
Seamus Coleman and Darron Gibson show off the new Everton Nike away kit. Tipperary anyone?
Giovanni Trapattoni’s mobile bill is set to soar this summer as he’ll need to name a bumper Irish panel to cater for a gruelling four matches in two weeks. There’s sure to be room for squad hopefuls and possible recalls as Ireland prepare for a historic meeting with England in Wembley, a World Cup qualifier, and a reunion with Spain in New York.
In a week when Northern Ireland’s Jonny Evans said he hopes to spend the rest of his career at Manchester United, one wonders if former Old Trafford team-mate Darron Gibson might be looking on enviously.
The furore over Rory McIlroy’s decision on who to represent at the 2016 Olympics has prompted Diarmuid o hAinle to explore an issue which has existed for footballers on this island for decades.
He may have refused a call-up this week but Darron Gibson was on the brink of storming out of the Irish squad in Poland after the mauling by Spain in Gdansk , if the newspapers are to be believed.
Darren Gibson and Shane Duffy led the charge. They trundled down the road from Belfast to Dublin and into the eye of a footballing storm. As James McClean becomes the latest to declare for the Republic having previously turned out for the North, one player has decided he won’t be joining them.
Póg Mo Goal is considering this concept for the Irish market. Getting fan’s comments on the issues of the day…while they’re baloobas in nightclubs. We’ll see ye in Coppers later.
Belated Happy Valentines to all the Spud Watch readers and I hope your night was more enjoyable than mine when me and I my trusty sock spent the evening watching montages of Tony Galvin on YouTube and my Cagney and Lacey box set.
Here’s this week’s Spud Watch…