Carsley Irish Return

By John P
September 19 2005

Carsley announced his retirement from international football last season to concentrate on Everton, but after David Weir's retirement U turn and playing for Scotland successfully once again, Carsley is considering a return to the International stage.

He said: “It’s been something I have been thinking about for a while.

“There is no point in ringing Brian tomorrow because I’m not fit. But as soon as I am playing again, I will be straight on the phone saying I want to be considered for Ireland squads.

“Despite what people might think, there was no bitterness between Brian and myself when I left the set-up, he told me I had to do what I thought was best.

“If Brian feels I am playing well enough and can add something to the squad, I am sure I will be in.”

The news comes at a good time for Ireland who are now without Roy Keane for several months due to a broken foot ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Cyprus.

"I’d been travelling with Ireland for seven years, often without playing. It was getting to the stage where it felt like a routine rather than a thrill.

“Every player should feel honoured and excited when they are picked for their country’s squad. I wasn’t feeling like that so it was more honest to take a break from. “The enthusiasm to be part of it is there again now. I have missed it to be  honest, missed the other lads, missed the atmosphere of the matches. “I know it’s up to me to make the first move and ring Brian and tell him how I feel about it now.

“There won’t be any strings at all. I won’t assume he will pick me and if I’m asked to travel with the squad and end up not playing, there won’t be any grumbles from me.

“I know some people might see me as a glory-hunter because we are approaching the World Cup but it’s not like that. I can tell everyone now I want to play in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign even if we don’t reach the World Cup.

“David Weir has just returned to the Scotland set-up after a year or more out of it and he has been telling me how great it feels.

“I was going through the motions really when I met up with the Ireland camp before but I have got my enthusiasm back.”

He adds: “I wanted to concentrate on what was happening at Everton at the time because we were tipped to go down last season. I knew we had our work cut out and wanted to rest between training and matches. At the same time, I knew if I went off with Ireland, “I might be left out in favour of someone who wasn’t a first-team regular and that was frustrating.

“Everything feels better now. I have flourished at Everton, things are going well and I want to be part of the Ireland squad in any capacity. If I am picked, that’s great but I know Brian has a lot of first-team players to select from and I understand that.

“There was no arguments with Brian when we last spoke, no bitterness between us. He said if I thought it was the right decision, I should do it. My situation has changed and I would think he will appreciate that.

“If we qualify for the World Cup, we want to take the best 23 players to Germany. But I want to make it clear that even if I wasn’t picked for the World Cup or we didn’t make it, I would want to play in our first game after that.”