Ireland exile Steven Reid doesn’t envisage making a return to the international set-up, certainly as long as Giovanni Trapattoni is in charge.
The West Brom utility man is one a number of Premier League regulars ignored by the ageing Italian manager – Leon Best, Wes Hoolahan and Marc Wilson are others – and remains hurt by some flippant comments made by Trapattoni in 2009 when he was finally coming back to full fitness.
In fairness to Trapattoni, it wouldn’t be a surprise if there was a picture of Reid beside the definition of injury-prone in the dictionary, but it was still remarkably ignorant of him to pretty much write off Reid’s career two years ago when Reid was only 28.
At the time, Trapattoni said it would be “very, very difficult” for Reid to come back from a career-threatening knee injury and added: “My experience is the players who have this injury during their careers play a couple of games, experience problems and have to stop.”
Reid has had the last laugh, however, and has been a regular at the Baggies for the last two seasons. Despite some impressive displays, he has heard no word from the Irish camp about a possible recall, and he is certainly in no rush to pick up the phone and plead his case.
That probably wouldn’t be a wise move anyway considering Mr. Trapattoni’s grasp of English, which has decreased dramatically in recent times and could be described as pidgin at best.
“There is no contact (from the Ireland camp) and I do not think that will be happening,” said Reid.
“Deep down, I would find it difficult after comments made by the manager when I was getting back to fitness.
“You can never say never in football, and if the opportunity did come around, I would have to see. But at the minute, it is looking pretty unlikely that it will happen.”
Ireland have made the Euro 2012 play-offs in Reid’s absence, but the sight of Stephen Kelly struggling badly against Armenia last time out was a worrying one and if he was in the squad, Reid would certainly be battling for a starting spot.
Certainly, it would be nice to at least have the option.
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