Disappointing.
Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has slammed Heimir Hallgrimsson for suggesting an Ireland camp for home-based players without running it by League of Ireland managers first.
The Ireland boss broached the idea to the media for a January camp.
He said: “Hopefully that will happen, but everyone has to agree on it, the association and the opponent.
“Hopefully something like this will come up from being here, as the coaches are all here. All these talks start here. Like I said to you guys we did a lot of it in Iceland – going in January with domestic players – so there are possibilities here and we are trying to do the best deal for us.”
However, Bradley was not pleased, and adamantly stated that he would not be releasing his players should it go ahead, given that the league starts up again in the first week of February, and European commitments mean they only have room for a short pre-season.
He said: “I understand the concept and I understand he’s done it before. What I don’t understand is why no one has thought it would be a good idea and respectful to reach out to the managers of the league and have a conversation.
“It just doesn’t make sense to me whatsoever. In terms of why would that conversation not have been had before people are coming out talking in the media about it. Absolutely ridiculous. Ridiculous stuff.
“They won’t be going. No, they won’t be going.
“Not with our season. That’s the whole point. Why would you not come and have the conversation? How does it make sense to us? How does it make sense to Shels? It doesn’t. Why not have them conversations. Like I said before, we’re off talking about it in the media. I thought we were past that point. Obviously not.”
