[squid]

Another young Scottish talent has decided to play for Ireland ahead of his place of birth. The Daily Record/ranger has been covering the rise of Hamilton Accies James McCarthy. The boy has been trained with Celtic, Liverpool, Chelsea and Reading and all are to place a bid with Celtic or Chelsea thought to be favourites.

However before his club future has been decided the boy, 16, has already chosen to play for Ireland being eligible because of his Irish grandparents. Celtics Aiden McGeady was the last one to chose to play for Ireland despite the fact he's as Irish as Highland toffee.

I dont agree with these guys personal descisions because thier seems to be this psuedo-irish identity that goes with supporting Celtic. However the SFA have fu**ed in this case because the boy hasnt been contacted. We lost McGeady, who will go on to become a great player, and now we have lost this guy who is being compared to Stevie Gerrard. What the hell is going on at the SFA, its like we dont want to bring through any decent players.

[Jedi Knight]

yeh, this getting rediculous with these little treacherous, dis-loyal, glory hunting pr**ks. good ridence to them and we look foward to gubbing Ireland when these little traitors are playing for them.

[squid]

Yeah, I'm angry that these guys think that little of thier home nation that they decide to go and play for another country but what sort of scouting system do the sfa have in place. The irish have it sorted, anytime thiers a talented player with a irish granny and an allegance to Celtic thier all over him with the sfa left picking thier noses.

There has got to more of an effort to get these guys excited about playing thier nation. And frankly the sfa have to get thier fingers out and get to these guys before other nations get a chance.

[squid]

also this trend of celtic supporters supporting ireland and rangers supporters supporting england doesnt help and the these clubs should probobly do more to promote the national side amoungst thier own supporters.

Mind yoiu when you see the likes of murray, smith and mccoist showing a complete disregard for the national side its hard to think that this will ever happen.

[Matt_THFC]

It's a human right to be able to play for which other country you are eligible for as long as you go by the rules. I have know idea of what reasons he gave to dedicate his future to Ireland but how can we judge him and imply him to be a traitor.

Quite honestly guys, you can see why these players decide to play for another eligible nation seeing as there is anti-catholism and irish culture up in Scotland.

Let's not forget these players family ties trace them back to Ireland - that is their heritage and their history. Look at players like Beniot Assou-Ekotto and Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe - two players who have dedicated their international careers to Cameroon - yet both were born in the North West of France.

[goldenHuddlestone]

Saha and Essien are the same

[squid]

maybe this is a new trend for Scottish football which has probably been happening in french, african, brazilian and potuguese football and its something that will continue to happen. Infact it may increase with young players maybe looking at what nation they may achieve more with rather thasn what nation they were born and raised in.

however, as a Scot I'm upset with the amount of young guys that dont seem to realise what a privilage it should be to put on a Scotland shirt.

Admittidly, we've not had the best of times over the last ten years, but what the f*** have Ireland done?

[squid]

And a nother thing by the way (in the words of Rab C Nesbitt, Scottish Philospher). In terms of these guys guys feeling more irsh because of thier grandparents or family life. Yes this is important. But I feel that Celtic (and Rangers and any Scottish club) should be doing more to promote the scottish national and the national identity.

I hated walking up to parkhead and seeing tricouler flags and irish scarves on sale outside the stadium. Celtic is a Scottish club first and foreost ahead of its links with Ireland.

[Worksop_Owl]

imo u shud play for the country which ur parents come from, not ur grandparents. imagine if the next big talent was say quarter american, quarter british, quarter brazilian and quarter egyptian? i kno this mite b blowin it way out of proporition but my point is that if we all play for whatever nationality our grandparents are, i wud make my grandad marry a brazilian woman lol! but still u shud play for the country what is said on ur birth certificate. btw lovin the fact that squid calls the player "the boy". lol

[squid]

Originally Posted by Worksop_Owl

btw lovin the fact that squid calls the player "the boy". lol

Lol, I know. I'm only 27 but I'm talkin like a pensioner.

[goldenHuddlestone]

I do that too

[Joe]

I totally agree with you Squid.

However, blaming the 'boy' may not be the right thing to do. I read a small interview with him when he mentions playing for Ireland. He states that at no point during his career did Scotland ever ask him to play for our set up, only Ireland. He has an Irish parents/grandparents - not sure which - which makes him eligible to play.

You can't really blame him if no one has invited him to play for Scotland.

[squid]

Yeah, I think i touched on that. The SFA have really messed up here. And its worrying because we've already lost one of the best young talents in Scotland in aiden mcgeady and now we've lost someone that is being Liverpool, Chelsea and Celtic are after. It doesnt make sense. The SFA should be going to thses guys ("boys") houses and making isure that these guys know they are wanted.