Martinez casts doubt on McCarthy’s commitment to Ireland

THE problems continue to mount for Giovanni Trapattoni ahead of Ireland’s European Championship qualifier against Macedonia tomorrow week.

For no sooner was there confirmation from Old Trafford that John O’Shea is definitely out with a hamstring injury which could sideline him for up to five weeks, than Wigan manager Roberto Martinez again appeared to cast doubt on James McCarthy’s availability for the game.

Earlier this week, Trapattoni was unequivocal about the player’s commitment to the green shirt, maintaining he could see no reason why the player would not be available for the game against Macedonia in which, he hinted strongly, he could even make the competitive debut. That would, once and for all, tie him to the Republic, despite Scotland’s notional claim on his talents.

Sources close to McCarthy have also been at pains to dispel any doubts about where his allegiance lies.

However, Roberto Martinez yesterday reopened the affair with a series of ambiguous and sometimes provocative remarks at a Wigan press conference.

“I have spoken with James many times about this and what is quite clear is that he is just focused on Wigan Athletic,” he said. “He wants to be successful this season and then he will look into his international career. He is such a mature boy and we will support him in anything he decides. He needs a bit of space and a bit of time to decide what he wants to do. What is quite clear is that the Republic of Ireland have been calling him up, and I’m sure after the Birmingham game tomorrow, he is going to decide if he wants to start his international career or if he wants a bit more time to think about his situation until the summer.

“We are going to support him whatever decision he makes. We need to leave him alone. It is very unfair to try to put him under this massive pressure, it has been growing day by day. He needs to have time and space to make the right decision as to who he wants to play for at international level. He’s started nearly 40 games in the Premier League and is only 20, and he feels the international choice has to be the right one. At the moment he feels now is not the right time and we have to respect that.

“I spoke with James yesterday and he is clearly thinking about the game against Birmingham on Saturday. After the game he’ll have to tell us what he wants to do with the call-up and we’ll decide on that front. The future of this football club relies on the game on Saturday. He understands that he will take his time. If he decides to play, we’ll help him and support him and if he decides to delay the decision it will be exactly the same. Whoever gets him is going to be a fortunate nation.”

That last remark comes despite McCarthy’s face-to-face assurance to Trapattoni that he was fully committed to the Irish cause, something all those who are close to the player and know him well, say is completely sincere.

However, speaking yesterday at the announcement of his squad for a friendly against Brazil on March 27, Scotland boss Craig Levein spoke not about when but if McCarthy makes his competitive debut for Ireland.

“James isn’t in this (Scottish) squad,” he said. “At this minute of time he hasn’t played a competitive match for Ireland, if he does, that will be it.”

This is just about the last thing Trapattoni needed after hearing that John O’Shea is out of the Macedonia game with the hamstring injury he picked up in the Champions League against Marseille.

With Richard Dunne in a race against time to be fit and Shay Given already ruled out, the loss of the Manchester United man drains more experience from his defence.