Ireland: No Mancini grudge

[sergiokun]

Fair comments from Stevie Ireland, he only had the one decent season for city linking up well with Robinho…. Think he gets a bit more stick from the press than he deserves IMO… Hope we beat Villa tomorrow


<a class="postlink" href="http://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-city/8251151/Aston-Villa-s-Stephen-Ireland-says-he-has-no-issue-with-Roberto-Mancini" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-city ... to-Mancini</a>

Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland insists there are no hard feelings between him and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini as he prepares to go up against his old club.

Ireland will travel with Villa to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to take on the reigning Premier League champions after departing the club two years ago.

At the time of his exit the midfielder launched a heated attack on Mancini, accusing the manager of not having a relationship with his players and suggesting a lack of loyalty at the club.

But while the 26-year-old does not believe he would have been given opportunities had he remained part of Mancini's star-studded squad, he bears the Italian no grudges.

"If I had stayed there, I wouldn't have been involved anyway. They have so much quality there was no way I was getting in that team," Ireland told the Daily Mirror.

The midfielder, who came through the youth ranks at City, added: "I live in the same area as him. I bump into him occasionally and we have a chat.

"It's completely fine. I understand it was a football decision. It was the right time for me to leave.

"He has to be (the right man for City). He has won them the league and they are still unbeaten in the Premier League so it's not like he has done really bad.

"I think Mancini has done a great job, and I can't see that changing."


No envy


Ireland's former club have secured Premier League and FA Cup success since his departure but the midfielder insists he feels no jealousy.

He said: "I have no envy whatsoever. I was just delighted for friends of mine like Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart.

"They've worked hard, for years they have talked about it, so I was thrilled for them."

Ireland is out of contract at Villa in summer 2014 and is hoping the club will offer him a new deal when the time is right.

He added: "I still have 18 months on my contract left. I'm hoping my performances will get me a sit down.

"We haven't had any sit down or chat yet but it's obviously - understandable as it's still early days."

 

[Chippy_boy]

Suprisingly balanced and respectful comments from Steven.

Fair play to the lad.

 

[leighton]

The media jumpped on his Grannygate thing for Ireland and then also took a close eye on his lifestyle and has been in the papers far too much during his time as a footballer for stuff outside of football. Not a bad player to be honest. When he played with more tecnical players he had a good understanding with them. Him Elano and Robbie and to a lesser extent MJ all were on the same wavelenght during there time together at the club but sadly his head was elsewhere.

 

[inchy14]

Fair comments from Stevie Ireland, he only had the one decent season for city linking up well with Robinho…. Think he gets a bit more stick from the press than he deserves IMO… Hope we beat Villa tomorrow


<a class="postlink" href="http://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-city/8251151/Aston-Villa-s-Stephen-Ireland-says-he-has-no-issue-with-Roberto-Mancini" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-city ... to-Mancini</a>

Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland insists there are no hard feelings between him and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini as he prepares to go up against his old club.

Ireland will travel with Villa to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to take on the reigning Premier League champions after departing the club two years ago.

At the time of his exit the midfielder launched a heated attack on Mancini, accusing the manager of not having a relationship with his players and suggesting a lack of loyalty at the club.

But while the 26-year-old does not believe he would have been given opportunities had he remained part of Mancini's star-studded squad, he bears the Italian no grudges.

"If I had stayed there, I wouldn't have been involved anyway. They have so much quality there was no way I was getting in that team," Ireland told the Daily Mirror.

The midfielder, who came through the youth ranks at City, added: "I live in the same area as him. I bump into him occasionally and we have a chat.

"It's completely fine. I understand it was a football decision. It was the right time for me to leave.

"He has to be (the right man for City). He has won them the league and they are still unbeaten in the Premier League so it's not like he has done really bad.

"I think Mancini has done a great job, and I can't see that changing."


No envy


Ireland's former club have secured Premier League and FA Cup success since his departure but the midfielder insists he feels no jealousy.

He said: "I have no envy whatsoever. I was just delighted for friends of mine like Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart.

"They've worked hard, for years they have talked about it, so I was thrilled for them."

Ireland is out of contract at Villa in summer 2014 and is hoping the club will offer him a new deal when the time is right.

He added: "I still have 18 months on my contract left. I'm hoping my performances will get me a sit down.

"We haven't had any sit down or chat yet but it's obviously - understandable as it's still early days."

And there lies the reason he'll never make it at a top club, mentally weak, which is such a shame with all the talent at his disposal.

 

[paulchapo]

The crazy thing is is if he had stayed he probably would be getting some game time now,providing he had kept his head and worked hard.We are not exactly brimming over with creative midfield players and i think Ireland with the right attitude could probably have done a better job than Nasri when Silva was injured.

 

[fatbloke]

Got to admit I am one of Ireland's biggest fans but I think like someone else has said he just hasn't got the bottle for the fight. The talent he has is undeniable, he's got everything you could possibly want from an attacking, creative midfielder but that mental strength and character. I think Villa suits him. He just wants the easy life and football is a way of making money just like the rest of us in jobs we're not entirely happy with. He's not bothered about being the best as long as he's got a comfortable lifestyle to enjoy.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

Briefly saw the headline in the mirror on my way to work this morning, read something like 'My City career was over as soon as Mancini came in'. I was gonna post on here that Ireland has got a sob story out, thank fuck I didn't

Fair comments but I agree exactly with inchy14, that quote was the one that stuck out for me when I read it too

 

[Eccles Blue]

Crikey, the lad is praising our team, saying we are top quality and being realistic about himself and STILL some people can't give him respect!!

Let's face it Stevie was a good player for us when we had a good team but now we have an excellent team he realises that he is not quite good enough. Give him some due for knowing his limitations lads.

It's like me saying that I know that I can't climb Scafell Pike any more. I used to be able to do it, but now I know my limitations and can't.

 

[Anonymous]

I've got nothing against Stephen Ireland ... a move away from City was almost 'forced' upon him , and he appeared to have little say in the matter at the time ....... for my money he's a good player , and for us he was outstanding at times.

 

[jimharri]

Crikey, the lad is praising our team, saying we are top quality and being realistic about himself and STILL some people can't give him respect!!

Let's face it Stevie was a good player for us when we had a good team but now we have an excellent team he realises that he is not quite good enough. Give him some due for knowing his limitations lads.

It's like me saying that I know that I can't climb Scafell Pike any more. I used to be able to do it, but now I know my limitations and can't.

You do realise that you are on BlueMoa, sorry BlueMoon, don't you?