Houllier pledges support for out-of-sorts Ireland

GERARD HOULLIER has warned Stephen Ireland to stop wasting his career and honour his vow to prove himself at Villa Park – after being shown the door at Manchester City.

As far as the Frenchman is concerned it is time the flash cars and the expensive fish took a back seat to the midfielder’s football.

Ireland could not wait to talk about a fresh start when he finally completed his £8m move to Villa this summer, after being frozen out at Eastlands under Roberto Mancini.