I think he would be welcomed back now, even after all that happened. The main reason I think and want him to be welcomed back is because he’s probably our best player at the moment, with the exception of the imperious Shay Given.

He’s been Man City’s best player this season, far more consistent than Robinho and Republic of Ireland need some skill and real talent in the centre of midfield. Whelan and Gibson or Miller simply aren’t good enough.

PS: I’m assuming you’re from Italy. We’ve heard rumours over here linking Shay Given with some top Serie A clubs. Have you heard anything about this over there?

Yeah, Stephen Ireland exiled himself from international football in September 2007, just before our qualifying match for Euro 2008 against the Czech Republic. Before the match, he said to our then manager Steve Staunton that his grandmother had died and that he had to leave the squad. However, this was found out to be untrue and his grandmother was in fact alive. He then tried to make up for it by saying it was his grandfather’s second wife that died, but that was untrue as well. In the end it was found out that his girlfriend had suffered a miscarriage. It was weird because if he’d told the truth about the miscarriage first he would have been allowed to go home anyway.

Everyone here in Ireland was pretty outraged that he lied, especially as we lost to the Czechs 0-1. After that, Stephen basically excluded himself from possible inclusion in future squads. There was even rumours he’d retire from international football.

In September 2007 he was in trouble with Man City after a website he had was found to have some really stupid stuff on it. It said “football is shit” and “why did I get stuck doin’ it?”.

It was a weird time and everyone was kinda questioned his state of mind because he didn’t seem to be healthy mentally.

Since Trapattoni took over there has been speculation that he might return but nothing has happened yet.

That’s pretty much the whole deal.

I had no idea that Stephen Ireland exiled himself from the squad. Can you go into more detail on that? Ie, why? Cause when I’ve seen him play this season, he’s been blistering and surely merits a call up.