
Football
Share
Published 13:24 23 Dec 2018 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
"I had a really good meeting with him. It was myself, Robbie Keane and his Dad was there. It’s up to him when he wants to decide. That’s how I left it to be quite honest with you. "It’s not my decision as to whether he plays for the Republic of Ireland. It’s only my job that if he wants to stay with us I could pick him. "He’s a really talented player and he’s a lovely lad. I think he has a really nice family behind him. It’s everything about him that you want him to play for him."McCarthy was then teed up with a beaut of a question, when asked if Rice had the potential to win 100+ caps for Ireland. "I’d say so," he replied, "I’d love to build a team around him. We start in March. That’s my deadline because I need to know by then. "Build a team around, he could be a future captain, he is that type of player. 100 caps would be a nice profile to have."
Not finished handing out festive pick-me-ups, McCarthy confirmed he was sending Terry Connor, his other assistant, to watch Leeds striker Patrick Bamford in action against Aston Villa today. "I have asked about him," McCarthy replied.
"I’ve asked about a lot of players like I normally do. My intention is to speak to Patrick. I think he does qualify. He is a terrific goalscorer. "He has played against my teams. He won the player of the year the year Daryl Murphy got 27 goals and I thought Daryl should have got it. He puts the ball in the net and you can’t have enough of those."Things could be looking up in 2019.
Football

Why bizarre crisis could force top European league to replay over 100 matches
This is ridiculous… Football in the Netherlands lately has been at the centre of a crisis, involving clubs scrambling for legal advice and information, while the Dutch football association (the KNVB) is seeking urgent clarification on the eligibility of several players. The crisis has been caused as a result of a confusion about dual nationality, […]
Football
2h
The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 138
Another big teaser! The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz is back, and this week 10 is the score to beat. We are covering all the usual stuff with championship GAA, Champions League, and Irish provinces in Europe, with a few extra bits and bobs! You will have to have followed the last week of sport very […]
Football
13h
Football
Irish pundit has bizarrely contrarian take after PSG v Bayern classic
Football