James McCarthy

Left foot wrote: Trap - with respect, there is simply no logic there whatsoever.

You asked me why he hasn't retired and I gave you some theories.  I think people think every lad that wears green has this deep love of the country and all things Irish. Its quite naive.  There have been plenty of lads played for us who simply do it to progress their career whether thats playing in a world cup or to put themselves in shop windows etc.. They are like any punter in the workplace who may jump ship if a company offers them a better job.   They don't work at DHL because they love the company policy.  Its just a job. Same with these lads.  Its just a job for a lot of them.  There's none of this loyalty and love of the green for a lot of lads who have played for us over the years.

Mo Johnston went to Rangers and was a Celtic fan favourite.  He posed in a  Celtic shirt and said he only wanted to play for Celtic a few days before signing for Rangers. because he got a good offer  These type of lads would sell their soul for cash and glory. They only think about whats good for them and their career.

Left foot wrote: Trap - are you saying that he just wants to put himself forward for the high profile games... you know, like a playoff or whatever?

No. Because I don't think it would bother him to miss Euro 2020 if we qualify.  He may use international football to put himself in the shop window age 31 is Palace let him go for example.

The chap doesn't give a toss about us.

Left foot wrote: If half of what people say about McCarthys commitment is true can people please explain to me why he doesnt just retire from international football?

He probably wants to keep the door open to come back if and when it suits him to advance his club career.  Or maybe he is just spineless and afraid to cop a load of flak.  The chap is 29.

What about that other EIRE LEGEND Harry Arter.  Has he retired.  The most committed player to the cause there ever was.

McGrath was amazing, but all said, Dunne vs Russia was the superior  defensive performance. We were more comfortable than legend would have it against Italy that day.

If you're an ireland player that isnt fully match fit and say that you are, you risk costing the team the game as you cant perform at 100%. This for me is utter stupidity. 

If you cant give 100% let someone who can give 100% play 

Should McCarthy play ahead of Whelan if he's fit?

It's not about the alternatives, it's about talking down James McCarthy over Whelan, when Whelan will not play under Kenny and McCarthy might.

He's leaving a problem for Kenny which he simply doesn't need to leave, regardless of how we get on in the playoffs. He has the perfect opportunity to reintegrate McCarthy into the set up but instead it seems he would rather continue a bizarre spat with him.

I don't understand it.

His post match comments on the back of one of our worst campaigns in living memory performances wise he takes no blame. 

For some strange reason finished 3rd in a group we were expected to finish 3rd has him feeling smug.

The man doesn't give a f**k about anyone but himself and his own ego unfortunately.