Is Giles going to jump ship to TV3?

There are unconfirmed reports today that TV3 may be about to pull off a massive coup by persuading John Giles to join their team.

A number of news outlets today report that the station is working to secure the services of the veteran broadcaster, who has been a key member of the RTE commentary team since the 1980s.

John Giles, left, with fellow panellists Liam Brady and Eamon Dunphy on RTE.

Giles was left out of the panel for last weekend’s critical Euro 2016 qualifier game against Scotland, and said he was disappointed to not be part of the programme.

He refuted claims by RTE that he was left out because he was out of contract.

“I made it very, very clear that I was available and I wanted to do the match,” he said

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“I was prepared to do an extra match, and made it clear there was no extra payment for that.”

Giles also felt he was treated shabbily in how the decision was communicated, and would have liked to have heard it directly from RTE Head of Sport Ryle Nugent.

“I'm very disappointed. It's one of the biggest games we've had in recent times,” he said.

“I would have liked to get a call from the Head of Sport to explain to me what the situation is.”

TV3 were contacted about the possible move, but the spokesperson would neither confirm nor deny the rumours.

All she would say to the Irish Daily Star was: “We are always bringing new talent into the mix, recently Gaizka Mendieta and Luis Garcia, so you never know."