Switching allegiance not right, claims Kerr

FORMER Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr sympathises with Northern Ireland’s continued loss of young talent to his old side and admits players switching allegiance “doesn’t sit right” with him.

Kerr might seem an unlikely ally for the IFA, not only as a long-time FAI employee but also as current boss of tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifying opponents the Faroe Islands.

But, as someone who spent several years coaching the Republic’s youth sides and who now manages a national side with even thinner resources than Northern Ireland, he is uneasy with incidents like James McClean’s recent switch.