Kennedy blames Stan for international snub

IRELAND midfielder Mark Kennedy has spoken out against Stephen Staunton for prematurely ending his international career.

The former Liverpool player who was Britain’s costliest teenager claims Staunton has not contacted him since taking over from Brian Kerr last January.

“I have played many games against numerous Irish players and not to have come to any of the games I think is pretty poor,” said the 30-year-old who hasn’t turned out for Ireland for six years. “Going back a while a go, my dad would be on at me going, ‘You need to say a bit more’ but even he is staying quiet now.

“What I find most disappointing is I played under a manager last year (Glenn Hoddle) who managed England and who has got a fantastic reputation.

“We have a manager (Peter Taylor) of similar stature at Crystal Palace, and not to ring someone up of that quality and say ‘how is he doing?’, ‘how’s he performing?’ I find very odd and strange. It doesn’t take much to call — maybe I’ll get the gaffer to ring.”

Kennedy reckons Staunton’s predecessor was also disrespectful to him. “Brian Kerr was the same. I don’t have a lot of time for him. I find it hard to believe you can actually fall out with someone before you have met someone if that’s possible, but that’s what happened.

“But to be honest, if I did get the call-up, I would probably say ‘no’ anyway,” said Kennedy who earned 34 caps.