Gibson withdraws from Ireland squad

Lyndon Lloyd , 1 September, 19comments | Jump to most recent

Darron Gibson will not be traveling with the Republic of Ireland squad for their World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan after he told Giovanni Trappatoni that he does not feel ready to return after being frozen out of the action at Euro2012.

The midfielder had been named in the 23-man squad for the game but he clearly harbours some resentment at the fact that he didn't play a minute for his country during the tournament despite Ireland losing all three games.

Gibson had already informed the Ireland manager of his decision before today's game at West Bromwich Albion in which he was injured after just 17 minutes of an ultimately disappointing game for Everton.

"When Darron told me of his decision to withdraw, I called him to talk things through," said Trapattoni. "He is very much in my plans."

"As we embark upon a brand new campaign, I consider Darron to be a key player for Ireland."

"However, he has said that although he doesn't want to let anyone down, he doesn't feel ready to ready to return to the squad for this fixture after the disappointment of Euro 2012.

"I hope that Darron will take this time to reflect positively on his international career, and return to us in time for the Germany game in October."

Quotes or other material sourced from BBC Sport

Reader Comments (19)

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Noel Lynam
1 Posted 01/09/2012 at 23:55:46

Can't say I blame him. When he was at Man U, Trap didn't select him on the basis that he wasn't playing first team football and publicly encouraged him to move clubs. Gibson respectfully disagreed, believing he was good enough to break into the Man U first team.

Gibson then moves clubs, becomes an integral part of a team playing well and getting results and finishing in the top six of the premier league.

He then has to spend Euro 2012 on the bench and watch on as journeymen Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews plod along ineffectively and get outclassed in all three group games (as they did for much of the qualifiers). Then to see Trap call Paul Green, recently released by Derby County, off the bench before him....well it's not hard to see why he's disillusioned.

I hope he comes back into the international fold, but it doesn't look promising unless there's a change of management.

Viv Sharma
2 Posted 02/09/2012 at 12:32:15

Does anyone know the extent of DGs injury? Was it a tweak or is he out for a while?

Mike Powell
3 Posted 02/09/2012 at 15:50:36

Well done Gibbo – who cares about England or Ireland? Everton are more important; keep up the good work, Darron, you are becoming one off the best players we have.

Kevin Hudson
4 Posted 02/09/2012 at 17:13:10

Strange one...

Irish Toffees are infinitely better suited to judge this decision, but it frankly baffles me. Is Gibson in a huff because he wasn't selected..? And if so, is this a churlish reaction that Irish fans are comfortable with.?

Or is there either an injury/ fitness issue, or do him & Trap not see eye-to-eye?

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Sam Hoare
5 Posted 02/09/2012 at 17:45:04

Any news on injury? Surely they must have assessed it by now. Hope he'll be back for Newcastle.

Injuries and a thin squad are what will really prevent us from mounting a serious challenge on top 4 this season.

Ian Bennett
6 Posted 02/09/2012 at 18:16:53

Kevin — he's in a huff because he didn't get a minute at the Euros... even when others did. It was a bit of a pisstake.

Kase Chow
7 Posted 02/09/2012 at 20:04:49

Kevin 241

I thought Noel 089 summed it up perfectly?!

What more do u need to know?

Andy Mack
8 Posted 02/09/2012 at 20:12:43

Fingers crossed that he's OK for EFC. Last two games and two injury scares then the silence have me fearing all is not well. Although looking at the cup half-full side of things, if it comes to that, drop Felli back and give Naismith or Mirallas a go along side Jelli. Forced hands usually work out really well for Everton.

Ciarán McGlone
9 Posted 02/09/2012 at 20:18:59

So Gibson's doing a Stephen Ireland..

Don't come back then...

Kevin Hudson
10 Posted 03/09/2012 at 00:10:53

Kase,

If for whatever tactical reason, Moyes left Gibson out of the squad for a given period of time, then I would expect the player to roll up his socks and fight for his place..

No player has a divine right to represent the team; it must be earned.

If he refused to turn up, as a supporter I would be furious with him, and regard him as unprofessional.

So I was simply wondering if this indeed was his reason, and if so, how the Irish feel about his decision.

Ciaran Duff
11 Posted 03/09/2012 at 00:58:27

Kevin,
I think that most Irish supporters would be sympathetic to Gibson.
Trap really did himself no favours by not playing DG (and others) in Ireland's last "dead rubber" game in Euros. It was the ideal time to give younger guys a go. Maybe he was afraid that this younger team might perform well and questions would be asked about his earlier selection.

Noel Lynam
12 Posted 03/09/2012 at 17:38:27

To add to Ciaran Duff's point, it's not an isolated incident of players who are playing well in Premier League teams not being given a chance by Trap, in favour of under performing "favourites" of his.

Coleman, Long, McClean and McCarthy are other examples. The fear is that Trap's stubbornness is alienating the next generation of players who the team should ideally be getting built around.

The Stephen Ireland situation was entirely different as it wasn't based on footballing reasons.

James Flynn
13 Posted 03/09/2012 at 22:47:33

Seems the easiest part of managing is the most talented players get to play their way off the team.

Remember choosing up sides for a street game? No managers or coaches. Who got picked first? Hell, who was made to choose sides?

Kev Johnson
14 Posted 03/09/2012 at 23:04:23

Controversially, I would like to ask if Ireland's recent lack of success is related to the fact that there are no Anglo Irish in the team? I mean Aldridge, Houghton, Cascarino, etc were an integral part of Charlton's team a few years back. By the way, three of my grandparents were Irish, so I'm not being in any way anti-Irish here.

Ciarán McGlone
15 Posted 03/09/2012 at 23:28:50

It's about Gibson taking a huff, throwing his toys out and refusing to play... we don't do that.

I don't agree with any of Trap's management decisions... but refusing to travel is disgraceful.

Chris Leyland
16 Posted 04/09/2012 at 00:05:30

Ciaran - it isn't disgraceful and he hasn't "refused to play". Instead, he isn't picked to play and instead journeyman like Whelan and Andrews are palted ahead of him. Why should Darron waste his time sitting on the bench for a very poor, below-average side, who are akin to the Stoke of international football?

Andy Crooks
17 Posted 04/09/2012 at 00:27:40

I like Darron Gibson but he's not George Best or Liam Brady. I think his decision reflects badly on him and makes him look petulant and like someone who thinks he is actually a great player.

Noel Lynam
18 Posted 04/09/2012 at 07:32:39

Kev @ 508,

Don't think that's a factor. There are some in the current squad / team - Cox, Westwood, Walters (Evertonian from Merseyside whose dad apparently has a season ticket at Goodison), St Ledger and Foley (another who has been shoddily treated by Trap i.e. named in Euro 2012 squad originally then ditched before the tournament started)

Ciarán McGlone
19 Posted 04/09/2012 at 22:26:03

Chris,

He has refused to travel... Read the article.

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