Ireland international defender Richard Dunne has consulted Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert for advice about whether to retire from international football to focus on his club career.
Asked if he'd considered retirement, Dunne, who is entering the final year of his Villa contract, replied: “Yes, it has a few times. It’s easy after a tournament, the way it’s gone, to make a rash decision and just say ‘that’s it’.“But I just have to think about things.
‘I was basically waiting to get back into training at Villa and then have a think and see how I feel, if I can go away again or not.
‘‘It’s a hard decision because it’s something I love doing.”
‘‘I’ve already spent four weeks thinking about it and I still can’t decide. When the time is right in my own head, I’ll know and then that will be the time.
“It’s such a massive decision because if we’ve qualified for one why can’t we qualify for the next one?
“If we were to qualify for Brazil it would be amazing.”
Dublin born Dunne made his debut for Ireland in April 2000 in a 1–0 loss against Greece in a friendly match and scored his first international goal just two months later against Mexico.
Ireland striker Robbie Keane has already become Aston Villa’s in-game gaffer by shouting out pitch instructions to his short-term colleagues.
Keane has ingratiated himself to team-mates and fans alike with his brilliant double in the 3-2 victory at Wolves last Weekend and it capped an amazing full Villa start for the 31-year-old Irish captain who is currently on loan from LA Galaxy.
And Villa player Marc Albrighton has revealed that the record Irish striker’s guidance has been just as important as his goals.
“I was watching Goals on Sunday the day after the Wolves match and it was interesting to listen to Chris Kamara’s comments about Keano,” said Albrighton.
“He made the point that Keano was almost performing a manager’s role on the pitch with the other lads.
“He was telling everyone where to go and where to pass it. That’s something he’s definitely bringing to the side.
“If he can keep doing that and keep banging in the goals, we’ll all be delighted.
“He’s not only a great person to play with he’s also a nice guy to have around the place too.
“The young boys look up to him and know they can learn from him. To be training with a player with the wealth of experience like Keano is just brilliant.”
Albrighton believes all of Villa’s attacking players will benefit greatly from playing alongside Keane before his loan spell ends at the end of February.
“Robbie thinks one step ahead of everyone else,” said Albrighton.
“Not only does he see the pass before everyone else, he has the ability to execute it too
“He’s never played really as a target man, as such, he drops off into gaps and little pockets of space and he can punish people from finding these areas.
“He has the ability to thread the balls through to people like Benty, Gabby, Charles and myself and if he doesn’t do that and decides to shoot instead, we’ve all seen what happens then!
“He can only help our team and he certainly did that on Saturday.”
Ireland international Ciarán Clark admits he has to keep his Aston Villa spot if he is to secure a place in Ireland's 23 man squad for the Euro 2012 finals in Poland.
Clark, who can play in central defence or midfield, has recently regained his Villa spot in a holding midfield role.
He is desperate to be part of the Irish squad in Poland and knows he has to impress Trapattoni at club level during the second half of Villa's Premiership campaign.
Clark who gained his first international call up in November 2010 against Norway said: "I'd like to keep getting into the Villa team because that is the only way I am going to get into the team to make the European Championships in the summer.
"I know if I play games then I will hopefully get a chance to go.
"It would be a massive experience for me to go to Euro 2012 but I haven't been picked in the last few squads.
"I hadn't really been playing for Villa but, now I'm getting a few games, it would be nice to think I've got a chance for the summer..
"I won't give up on it and hopefully I'll show I'm good enough."
Aston Villa have completed the signing Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given from Manchester City.
The 35-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Villa Park after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.
Given told the club's website: "Aston Villa is a huge club and I'm really excited to be joining. It's a new challenge and I'm eager to embrace it."
Given had been on the margins at Eastlands after City manager Roberto Mancini made England international Joe Hart his first choice.
The Irish international he will make his Villa debut in a friendly against Walsall on Thursday.
He is McLeish's first signing since taking over at Villa Park and the former Birmingham manager believes Given will have a major impact at the club.
"Shay has come here with something of a point to prove and that won't do him any harm at all," McLeish said.
"Everybody who has watched him perform over many years in the Premier League will know his pedigree so we believe we have secured the services of one of the best goalkeepers in the business."
Villa defender and Ireland team-mate Richard Dunne is delighted at the prospect of being reunited with Given and told the Birmingham Mail: "He was frustrated over the way things have gone over the last year, I think he just wants to get playing again and he'll be looking forward to it.
"I spoke to him on Friday when he got here and I think he was surprised about how good the facilities and the setup are here at Bodymoor.
"I think it's a good opportunity for Shay to get back to playing football and I think it's one he's really looking forward to."
Birmingham are planning to steal Robbie Keane away from the grasp of rivals Aston Villa in a £6million January transfer window swoop.
Tottenham are prepared to listen to offers for Ireland striker Keane during the winter transfer window, with Harry Redknapp valuing the 30-year-old record Irish goalscorer at around £8m.
Villa have had a long-standing interest in the Dublin born player but are reluctant to meet that price. Birmingham are also looking to pay less but are prepared to meet Keane's £65,000-per-week wage packet at Spurs.
Keane has fallen down the pecking order at Spurs but Blues boss Alex McLeish sees him as the perfect partner for 6ft 7in front-man Nikola Zigic.
Spartak Moscow have warned Aston Villa off making any move for Ireland international winger Aiden McGeady.
Villa were rumoured to be interested in McGeady prior to his move to Russia this summer from Celtic and it has been reported they may now reignite their interest during the January transfer window.
McGeady has been hugely impressive at Spartak and the club's sporting director Dmitri Popov insists the Ireland international is not for sale.
"McGeady is certainly not for sale," said Popov. "It is not true that he is unsettled in Moscow.
"No one has approached us from Villa yet but, if they do, our answer will definitely be a no."McGeady received glowing praise this week from ex-Manchester United star Andrei Kanchelskis - "I'd give him 10 out of 10. There haven't been many better. His quality on the ball has been excellent, his pace and mobility is now Spartak's biggest threat.
"I like his attitude. He's a winner, he doesn't give up on anything. This is a quality that all top professionals need, but not every talented footballer has it. He plays 100pc for the team. It's now clear this is a player with a big, big future."
Ciarán Clark insists he has no regrets about deciding to pledge his international future to Ireland rather than England.
The 21-year-old Aston Villa centre-back underlined his massive potential with two goals in the 4-2 defeat by Arsenal on Saturday.
Clark, who has played for England Under U-20’s, impressed as an emergency midfielder against the Gunners, but is standing by his choice to represent Ireland and hopes to make his debut for the senior team against Macedonia in March.
“I’ve made my decision, I am Irish,” said Clark.
I’ve played for England in the younger age groups but the time has come and I’ve decided to play for Ireland if selected. All my family is based in Ireland. If selected I’m sure I will have so much support over there.
“I am just looking forward to the next international game now as I was injured for the last one but there are a lot of games before then for Villa.”
Of his goals against Arsenal he said: “I didn’t have time to celebrate, I just wanted to get the ball back and push on for the next one.”
Meanwhile Villa boss Gerard Houllier has sung the praises of Clark after the youngster netted twice in the defeat to Arsenal.
After going into the interval two down, Clark twice brought Villa to within a goal of the Gunners before Jack Wilshere's stoppage-time header secured the points for Arsene Wenger's men.
The brace was the 21-year-old's first-ever senior goals for the club and Houllier is looking for the defender-turned-midfielder to push on.
The French boss said: "Ciaran can play centre-back, as he did against Blackburn last week, but I think, because he has footballing qualities, he can help as a defensive midfielder.
“We played him there because we are practically depleted in midfield.
"Ciarán is doing that very well at the moment and he can also score goals.
"He almost did against Chelsea, when he hit the post. He is developing. He is coming up well."
According to reports in today's Daily Mirror, Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier is interested in bringing Manchester United's Darron Gibson to Aston Villa.
The Villa boss is said to be keen on the Derry born Irish midfielder, but would need a major favour from old rival Sir Alex Ferguson to get his man.
Gibson, 23, is a squad player at Old Trafford but Houllier believes he would be a key man in his first XI.
Villa will try to sign Gibson in January, either on loan or on a permanent basis. They believe they may be able to tempt United into loaning him out if it means getting him regular Premier League games and improving his long-term career prospects.
The Ireland international is renowned for having a powerful shot but has yet to develop into a first-team regular at Old Trafford.
Houllier knows he will face a battle to persuade United but the loan option gives him some hope, especially with Gibson still struggling for regular first team games.
C
iarán Clark has been called into the Ireland squad for next week's friendly game against Norway at Lansdowne Road. His call up to Trapattoni's senior squad follows a report from FIFA this morning indicating that there is still a chance they may be in a position to consider his application to play for Ireland in time for the match.
Clark, who qualifies for Ireland through his mother and grandparents, opted to play for the 'The Boys In Green' at senior level after talking to club-mate Richard Dunne, who is in line to win his 64th cap against the Norwegians.
The 21 year old Central defender recently agreed a new three-and-a-half year deal with Aston Villa and has put in some impressive performances for Gerard Houllier's side at central defence and also filling in at central midfield.
Robbie Keane, Paul Mc Shane and Caleb Folan are out of the Ireland squad to face Norway on Wednesday in the Aviva Stadium.
Everton's Seamus Coleman has kept his place in the panel and could be set to make his debut with McShane ruled out.
Ireland squad to face Norway:
Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, John O'Shea, Seamus Coleman, Richard Dunne, Sean St. Ledger, Greg Cunningham, Kevin Foley, Kevin Kilbane, Stephen Kelly, Darren O'Dea, Marc Wilson, Darron Gibson, Ciaran Clark, Glenn Whelan, Paul Green, Liam Lawrence, Stephen Hunt, Aiden McGeady, Keith Treacy, Damien Duff, Keith Fahey, Jonathan Walters, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long.
Aston Villa are prepared to match bids from Liverpool in an attempt to beat their Premiership rivals to the signing of Preston and Ireland defender Sean St Ledger
Villa scouts have watched the Ireland international regularly while Liverpool assistant boss Sammy Lee has also been keeping a close eye on the progress of 25 year old StLedger over the past month.
St Ledger has recaptured his form and fitness after a difficult past 18 months where he saw a move to Middlesbrough collapse and tentative inquiries from Celtic come to nothing.
However, Preston are struggling to shed their debts and will be willing to listen to offers in January with an asking price of around £4million.
Villa manager Gerard Houllier knows he has an advantage over his former club Liverpool as St Ledger is a Villa fan and has partnered Richard Dunne at international level.
Houllier said: 'If we spot a good international player who can add something, we'll take him. We will have one or two coming in January.'
Young highly rated Aston Villa defender Ciarán Clark is hoping to be in contention for a place in Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland squad next month following his decision to pledge his international future to Ireland.
Central Defender Clark is one of the brightest young stars at Villa Park and was called on to replace Richard Dunne last Saturday when he picked up an injury during the Premier League game with champions Chelsea, a game in which he impressed with his solid defending and cool head. And with a glancing header hitting the inside of the Chelsea post as the game neared its end, Clark almost broke his premiership duck after only four appearances for Villa.
Clark had been capped by England at underage level but after some discussions with Dublin born Dunne, Clark has decided to commit to Ireland. The 21-year-old has strong Irish connections as his mother is from Drumshambo, Co Leitrim, his father, although born in Scotland, grew up in Donegal and all four of Clark's grandparents were born in Ireland.
"I played for England at youth level but I didn't think I was going anywhere in that department. So when a young lad gets an opportunity like I have with Ireland, it's very hard to turn down," says Clark.
"Richard Dunne played a big part in me linking up with the Republic. He mentioned it to the Irish officials. And then they contacted me and Aston Villa at the start of the season.
"They gave me time to think about it to make a decision and I think I could be in contention for the next international if all the paperwork has gone through. It's fingers crossed. I have to keep working hard and hoping that it will happen," added Clark.
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has been handed a welcome fitness boost with the news that Richard Dunne is expected to be fit to face Russia in the side's European championship qualifier on Friday evening at Lansdowne Road.
The Aston Villa defender has been forced to sit out training with the Ireland squad this week, however a scan today revealed no major injury and the Dublin born centreback is expected to return to training on Thursday morning
Dunne has been an integral part of Trapattoni's squad and has played a central role in a solid defence that have conceded just seven goals in their last eight games.
Ireland have six points from their opening two qualifying games and victory against Russia and Slovakia would give 'The Boys In Green' control of Group B at this early stage of the campaign.
New Coventry signing Stephen O'Halloran is over the moon to have agreed his move to the club.
The Ireland u21 international full-back will officially join the Sky Blues on a free transfer from Aston Villa on July 1 and sign a one-year contract.
He told the club's official website: "I'm delighted to get the deal done. I had a meeting with the manager earlier in the week and he was very positive. He said he saw me play last season in the reserves and that he liked what he saw which was great for me."
Cork born O'Halloran, who has fought his way back to full fitness after two years out with knee problems, added he hopes to play a big part in a promotion push at the Ricoh Arena sooner rather than later.
"This is a big opportunity for me and it helps that the manager has a very positive outlook on the club," added the 22-year-old. "He will not be settling for mediocrity and I know he is desperate to get the club where it wants to be and that is the Premier League.
"It is obviously going to be one step at a time but I'm just looking forward to helping achieve that in any way I can."
