Stephen Ireland Interview

[Christmas Tree 4858]

STEPHEN IRELAND has vowed to repay Newcastle United and Alan Pardew for saving him from his Aston Villa nightmare.

 

Ireland said it was good to feel wanted after being overlooked by Roberto Mancini at Manchester City last term and then Gerard Houllier at Villa Park.

 

And he today lifted the lid on his emotional rollercoaster of a season that sees him at his third club in 12 months.

 

The winger may have to wait another month until he can make his United debut due to injury, but expressed relief at being able to leave Villa after being frozen out by Houllier.

 

Ireland’s switch to Tyneside almost went unnoticed after Andy Carroll’s big-money move to Liverpool, but the loan deal until the end of the season will give the Cork lad a chance to resurrect his career.

 

The player joined Villa in August as part of a deal that took ex-Toon star James Milner to Manchester City.

 

But it hasn’t worked out for Ireland and he finds himself at St James’ Park until the end of the season.

 

First, though, he must battle back from a knee problem that leaves him sidelined for up to a month.

 

Ireland told the Chronicle in his first big interview: “It’s been very unfortunate to have two managers who didn’t really fancy me.

 

“They didn’t want me there, support me or even give me a chance.

 

“I didn’t have five or six games in a row in 18 months.

 

“You can’t work that way and be out for so long, and then expect everything at once. It’s been difficult. I haven’t played consecutively for five or six games, and hopefully I can do that here.

 

“It’s a massive relief to get away because I wasn’t playing.”

 

And on the injury that prevents him from making his Toon debut against Arsenal, Ireland said: “It’s very frustrating,”

 

“I’m not saying I want to play every minute of every game – I’m here to be part of the team and the squad.

 

“I want to crack on and be involved straight away – it’s not nice sitting in the physio room.

 

“You don’t want to watch the lads training, you want to be among it.

 

“I saw a specialist the other day, and he reckoned it would be a month with my knee.

 

“But I’ve had an injection, so hopefully I’ll be able to do some heavy training. I’m very eager to go.

 

“I’m a good healer, and really determined to get going and get myself quicker.”

 

Ireland boasts a record in the Premier League of 138 games and 16 goals with Man City over five years.

 

However, after just 10 appearances with Villa, Ireland has now not played in he the top flight since the 3-0 defeat against Liverpool for the Midlands side in December.

 

But now he wants games under his belt – and quickly.

 

He said: “It feels so long since I was playing games.

 

“This is a new challenge. It’s a lovely city and a nice training ground. It’s really good here, and I want to be part of everything.

 

“I’m really excited – I just want to come out of the traps and play to the best of my ability.

 

“Hopefully I can bring some of my ability to the team.”

 

Ireland started his career at the same club as Roy Keane, Cobh Ramblers, before making the grade at Man City.

[Monroe Transfer 0]

One look at our ridiculous injury list and the hierarchy should have been all over any half decent player going, even if they had to pay over the odds. As a short term solution, something had to be done. More loan signings for one - scour the European market for someone with a bit of something about him.

 

We've not had much luck but we're not creating much for ourselves either.

 

Getting rid of players and then bringing in an injured player just speaks volumes about the lack of foresight and ambition at the football club.