Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood maintains that Ireland shouldn't be put out by Jack Grealish's rejection to Martin O'Neill's call-up earlier this week.
Speaking ahead of Villa's Premier League tie with Southampton on Saturday - a win in which will guarantee Villa's survival - Sherwood stated that the Birmingham-born 19 year old will likely decide his international future at the end of the season:
“It’s not a slant on Ireland, England or anyone. He will make his decision. He’s good enough to play international football but he’s putting that on hold.
I don’t think Jack didn’t want to play for Ireland, I don’t think he didn’t want to play for England or Brazil for that matter."
Brazil? Does Grealish have a granny from Tuam that we didn't know about? Anyway, Sherwood continued,
"That case was he was always going to decide on his international future at the end of this season.
He’s got three very important games to take care of for Aston Villa. His concentration is fully on that.
His international career will be put on hold. Jack hasn’t made his mind up what country he wants to represent. It’s a decision only Jack has to make in a cool, calm situation at the end of this season."
Sherwood's stance is a direct affront to Kenny Cunningham's phenomenally entertaining rant against the Villa youngster on Tuesday, with Brian O'Driscoll also giving his two cents on the Irish under-21's international future.
The Balls birthday week extravaganza was marred by some harsh remarks surrounding the Grealish situation when we posted a behind-the-scenes look at our wonderfully named 'ideas board' yesterday.
As a sincere apology for our involvement in #grealishmania, here are the 9 key in Jack Grealish's international future.
