IFA chief: Gibson ineligible for Stan’s squad

NORTHERN Ireland’s football authorities have once again questioned Darron Gibson’s right to play for the Republic of Ireland, despite the fact that the Derry-born Manchester United midfielder made his senior debut for Steve Staunton’s team in Denmark last week.

Irish Football Association chief executive Howard Wells is continuing to insist that the legality of Gibson’s decision to play for the Republic remains in doubt.

Said Wells: “I don’t want to get into a war of words on this issue, but the Good Friday Agreement and passports are totally irrelevant. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, I could get an Irish passport, having been a resident in Northern Ireland for over two years, but I still couldn’t play for the Republic.

“As far as our legal advice has told us, we are right on this issue and we will see what FIFA say.”

However, Steve Staunton was yesterday happy to name Gibson is his squad for next month’s double-header against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Said the Irish manager: “Darron nailed his colours from day one. If people are stirring it, there’s nothing we can do about it. The boy wants to play for us.”