Stan puts Ireland’s mind over matter

SO WHAT do you think of Stephen Ireland now? Or more to the point, what do you think of Steve Staunton?

News that the Manchester City player pulled out of tomorrow’s international clash with Germany hasn’t had the knee-jerk reaction that you might have expected, and much of that is down to the manager’s handling of the situation.

Steve Staunton was measured in his comments during the week, pointing out that Stephen Ireland would be better served by continuing with ongoing treatment where he was, in Manchester, rather than coming across to Dublin to join his international colleagues.