Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews believes players who choose to represent Ireland to advance their careers have no place in the squad.
Liam Kelly withdrew from the squad for the friendly against Turkey earlier this week with manager Martin O’Neill claiming he wants to keep him options open.
Speaking with Dave McIntyre on the Keith Andrews Show, the former midfielder expressed frustration at English born players seeing Ireland as a back up plan:
“He’s clinging onto the likes of Jamie Vardy got it late, Mawson and Tarkowski are in the England squad now, he’s clinging onto that, he doesn’t want to commit yet. I don’t want us to be Plan B, if we’re plan B... do one!
“I’ve been in squads before where there was talk that ‘such and such might have an Irish granny and he might consider Ireland now’, what do you mean he might consider Ireland now? That’s nonsense!”
West Ham midfielder Mark Noble was reportedly considering declaring for Ireland earlier in his career.
He was eligible through his grandparents and is related to Albert Clarke, the retired former vice-chairman of the Dublin District Schoolboys.
Andrews admitted that links to players who were considering declaring for Ireland always frustrated him: “I’m telling ya if Mark Noble had have come into the squad, I would’ve snapped him in half.”
Giving his opinion on Kelly's playing ability, Andrews added: “He’s like a 5-a-side player, he was likened to Iniesta by Jaap Stam which I think is a little bit blown up, I think he was going to be released by Brian McDermott.
“In terms of the way Brian McDermott likes to play at Reading, it's long, direct, shore things up – he was close to getting released.
“Jaap Stam comes in and there’s a total change in the style of play and he fit in with that, he’s a decent players there’s no doubt about that.
“It's very disappointing in terms of paying 19's, playing 21's, being called up to a squad last year I think he had to pull out with some kind of injury.
“This time around obviously he was going to be given an opportunity to be in the squad and see what he is made of, maybe get a cap.
“It doesn’t sit well at all, why is there a grey area? It was mentioned there in a couple of years time (perhaps he could chose to represent Ireland) but for me it’s done now."
