Ireland hails ‘greatest moment’

THIS has been a particularly turbulent time in the always eventful life of Stephen Ireland but, for now at least, the midfielder is cutting an unusually contented figure.

Ireland claimed his stunning winning goal on Saturday — volleyed, first-time, from the edge of the penalty area deep into stoppage time — was his “greatest moment” in football. After so many low points this season, from faked stories of dead grandmothers, to widespread analysis of his psychological demons and the stalling of his international career, this was a welcome relief.

“It was a great goal from Stephen,” Sven-Goran Eriksson, the City manager, said. “He is playing better and better, which is fantastic. Stephen is young, talented and has a long career in front of him.”