Martin O’Neill wanted Jamie Vardy to play for Ireland

Imagine, we could have had Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy up front at this summer's Euros.

Well, imagine away, as that is the only way that particular scenario could come to pass as neither men will ever get to wear the green. Kane, at least does have some Irish heritage, and was sounded out several times about playing for Ireland. Martin O'Neill has admitted that Kane was of keen interest to Ireland, but he opted to play for England, despite his father being from Galway and his agent having contacted the FAI about his client's possible interest in playing for Ireland. But the FAI was also keeping tabs on Jamie Vardy, and all efforts were made to check out if he would be able to play for us. Steve Guppy was a guest on tonight's Off The Ball, and the former Leicester midfielder, and current Ireland coach, admitted that one of his first tasks with Ireland as part of O'Neill's staff, was to determine if Vardy was eligible for the Boys in Green. Unfortunately, there was no joy via the granny rule this time.

"I will say this. One of the first things Martin O'Neill got me to do when I got the job was to find out if Vardy was Irish or not and sadly his grandparents were not.

Guppy admitted that the interest came before Vardy's incredible goalscoring exploits of the last nine months that has seen home become a cert be part of England's euros campaign this summer. But imagine Vardy playing with Ireland, and chatting shit as Gaeilge in France this summer. Although, who needs Vardy when we have Jon Walters, eh?