Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish has been fined and suspended this week.
Republic of Ireland head coach Martin O’Neill
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill has told The Irish Sun that he thinks he would sorted out the problems surrounding Aston Villa youngster Jack Grealish.
Grealish, 21, is one of the top prospects to come through the Villa academy in recent years, but and his talent has certainly made him a hot property.
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish
Possessing great dribbling and close control, Grealish has shown glimpses of his huge potential, but off-field issues continue to hold him back.
Earlier this week, Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo told BBC Sport that he had fined and suspended for Grealish for matters surrounding a hotel party last weekend.
Grealish’s partying continues to be a problem, and having only recently signed a new contract with Villa, it’s really time for him to knuckle down and justify his decision over his international future.
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish in action
The playmaker decided to turn his back on the Republic of Ireland in order to pursue an international career with England, but right now he appears to be a million miles away from a call-up to Sam Allardyce’s squad.
After hearing of Grealish’s suspension, Republic of Ireland manager and former Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill has had his say on the situation whilst speaking to The Irish Sun.
O’Neill believes that he would have sorted Grealish’s issues, even if just during international duty, but particularly thinks he’d have set Grealish straight if he was the player’s manager at club level.
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill
O’Neill added that he thinks Grealish must grow up very quickly, and thinks that if he wants to fulfil his potential, he must change his ways, as O’Neill doesn’t see him playing for England in the immediate future.
“He needs to learn about what it takes to be an athlete. He needs to grow up very quickly,” said O’Neill. “It’s not the first time. If he wants a good career, he has to stop.”
“I would have been delighted to have taken him on, but he chose elsewhere. Would I straighten him out? There’s a fairly decent chance I would have done. A fairly decent chance. I’ve been able to do it with a few players during my time. I certainly would have been able to sort him out at club level because I’d have been working with him every day.”
“I don’t see him playing for England in the immediate future, but he has the talent. I’d have been delighted if he chose to play for us and I do think I’d have sorted him out. Sorting him out at international level when you only have someone for a couple of days, it’s totally different to club level. If I was his club manager he wouldn’t have a problem, I promise you. I don’t think that he would have been involved in the shenanigans he has been if I was his club manager,” he added.
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