Liverpool FC Forum

by **metalhead** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 1:07 pm

Ireland hits out at Houllier
Midfielder also rules out Irish return

Newcastle United loan man Stephen Ireland has launched a scathing attack on Gerard Houllier.

Speaking in an interview with French football magazine So Foot, Ireland is very critical of Aston Villa boss Houllier.

The midfielder was rarely used by Houllier after he took charge from Martin O'Neill and he insists he was forced out of Villa by the Frenchman.

"After 15 matches on the bench Houllier told me to stay at home," said Ireland, who is hoping to make his Newcastle debut against Everton this weekend.

"I trained during the week and on Fridays he told me, 'no point you coming, you are not in the team'.

"Yet I was the best player in training. It was my team that won in every session. One of the few times he played me, we drew 0-0 at Chelsea and I ended up man of the match.

"Apparently that didn't matter to him. I was stuck with being paid for doing nothing at all. I was left to myself. I had to pay out of my own pocket for medical treatment. Can you believe that?"

Ireland also took exception at being asked to move to Birmingham from his home in Manchester.

"Houllier asked me to come and live in Birmingham because it was taking me 75 minutes to come to training. But there were 15 players in the same position as me. Some came from London and took more than two hours, but he only asked me to move," he continued.
Dislike for Birmingham

"For a start, Birmingham is a c**p city and I wasn't going to make the effort, especially as I wasn't playing. Might as well be in Manchester if I had to stay home on match days.

"I don't bear Houllier any grudges, it wasn't him who chose me after all."

Ireland is desperate to play this weekend, adding: "I just want to play and have a manager who really wants me for once.

"I have no idea at the moment who I will be playing for next season. My future is unclear."

Ireland retired from international football with his native Republic of Ireland four years ago, but he has no regrets and insists he feels nothing for his homeland, or even his hometown of Cork.

"I don't give a damn for Ireland. Live in Cork? I'd rather shoot myself. I prefer Los Angeles," he said.

No Irish action

And he admits he is not going to be playing for his country again in the future.

"Even at youth level, it p****d me off to go there," he said.

"Everyone came from Dublin. I was the only guy from Cork. I had to take the train on my own, pay for a taxi, there was no hotel, no grub. It was handled so amateurishly.

"National teams don't interest me. I have more to do than go off for three days to play Andorra. And when you are Irish, you are well aware you'll never win the World Cup.

"I feel nothing for the team. I absolutely don't feel guilty when they lose and, when they win, at no time do I think I could have been there.

"Even if Ireland had qualified for the World Cup, I wouldn't have gone. People call for my return, but I have only played five times for them. The national team and me are ancient history."

Ireland

----------------------
Strong words

by **tonyeh** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 2:32 pm

ha ha. What a dick.

by **Kenny Kan** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 2:38 pm

Can you believe it the poor bugg.er had to pay for his own medical treatment! Deary me, what next the lil man will have to fill up his own petrol tank, heaven forbid.

by **brentd4** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:03 pm

my mate played along with him at a very young age and he said he was even a dick back then, he was sponsored early on so he thought he was a superstar from when he was young, just thinks hes above everyone

by **RedSi35** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:11 pm

What an absolute cockk lord.

Needs a :censored:

attitude slap

by **Igor Zidane** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:29 pm

by **red till i die!!** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:11 pm

what a fooking gobsheen!!

by **RUSHIE#9** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:17 pm

Surprised he can get through doorways with that big head. :no

by **Greavesie** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:21 pm

"I don't give a damn for Ireland. Live in Cork? I'd rather shoot myself. I prefer Los Angeles," he said.

wouldnt advise him going there then

by **tubby** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 12:39 am

"And when you are Irish, you are well aware you'll never win the World Cup" :laugh:

He doesn't half speak his mind eh

by **7_Kewell** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 1:09 am

says it all really...

by **burjennio** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 1:56 am

Lazy knobend. Far to happy being a millionaire than he is a footballer. He put in one good season in his entire career, and only because he knew Man City were looking shot of his lazy hole. As soon as he got that contract renewal whats he done? Absolutely jack sh*t. Went to Villa for another payday and bonus and gets annoyed that his manager actually wants him to show committment to the club. So he shifted off to the North East and Im sure got another lovely bonus for his trouble.

Footballers who dont appreciate how fortunate they have it to be living the dream of millions, sorry billions of lads all over the world who would gladly do what they do for free make me f*cking sick. Do one Ireland you clown. I hope £80k a week can finally get you a decent wig.

by **Kharhaz** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:25 am

Its typical of todays footballer. They really do think they are gods gift to the world.

by **RedSi35** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:14 am

7_Kewell wrote:says it all really...

PIKEY !

He would be at home on my big fat gypsy wedding.

And to think some people wanted him here at this club.........

by **red till i die!!** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:47 pm

stephen zimbabwe!!

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