Ian Harte continued to roll back the years when he was named in the Championship Team of the Year for the second season in a row. He is the only member from Reading’s title winning side, repeating the feat he achieved last time out when the Royals lost out on promotion in the play-offs. Could he be a shock option for Giovanni Trapattoni this summer?
Hartey was also named in the League One end of year selection two years ago when he starred for Carlisle finishing as top goalscorer with 18 goals. The accolade means the Drogheda man has the extraordinary distinction of being been named in his league’s best XI by his peers for three years in succession.
The 34-year-old defender scored four times in 33 appearances for the Royals this season and also clocked up 10 assists for Brian McDermott’s side. He’s among an Irish contingent celebrating a return to the Premer League that includes Noel Hunt, Jay Tabb, and Karl Sheppard, recruited from League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers.
Reading were held to a 2-2 draw at the Madejski Stadium by Crystal Palace last weekend but Southampton’s loss to Middlesbrough meant the point was enough to claim the title and return to the top flight.
Ian Harte earned 65 international caps for Ireland, scoring eleven goals, but holds little hope of coming across the radar of Giovanni Trapattoni, remarking last year that he was sure the Italian didn’t even know he was Irish.
With Kevin Kilbane’s international career now over and Marc Wilson unable to force his way into Trapattoni’s plans despite starring for Stoke this season, it would appear Stephen Ward is set to board the plane to Poland without a back-up in reserve.
With John O’Shea seemingly able to deputise, and even Stephen Kelly having lined out there during Trap’s reign, there’s unlikely to be a fairy-tale return for the veteran Harte, a player who featured in every minute of Ireland’s qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup, scoring a penalty against Iran in the play-off.
Hartey was also named in the 2000 Premier League team of the year while starring for Leeds United.