Another day and another couple of Martin O’Neill interviews to tell you about as his relentless book tour promotional activity shows no sign of slowing down. The former Celtic manager spoke to BBC Scotland’s The Nine show at Celtic Park last week and the interview went out last night.
As you might expect from the BBC, most of the questions are Rangers related or about theRangers as Martin is asked what advice he would give to the latest manager of theRangers Mick Beale. There’s an interesting comparison to Ange Postecoglou as Martin O’Neill admits that he’d always be looking over the fence to see what was going on at Ibrox while Ange is more concerned about what he’s having for his dinner than worrying about anything to do with them.
Here’s theRangers loving BBC speaking to Martin O’Neill…
“Would I have the same drive and intensity to manage? I don’t think that’ll leave me until I’m on another planet.”@Paul__Barnes talks to Martin O’Neill about his experiences as Celtic manager, Rangers boss Michael Beale, and whether he would ever return to management. pic.twitter.com/lzBVogxJd6
— The Nine (@BBCScotNine) December 7, 2022
Martin has also been on talkSPORT with Jim White and Simon Jordan discussing the controversy for Ireland fans surrounding what they see as the Jack Grealish and Declan Rice debacle where Martin O’Neill played Rice in three friendly matches for the Republic of Ireland but not in a competitive international fixture and both players subsequently opted to play for England.
Martin explains exactly what happened and comes out of this with credit for his integrity, respecting the wishes of both players and their parents – who he met – and explaining that both players were born in England and that the decision was theirs. He also explained that both players and their families were well aware of the rules.
Rice may have been hedging his bets while playing for the Republic of Ireland in those three friendly matches and had an England opportunity not come his way then he would have undoubtedly have become an Irish international under Martin O’Neill.
The former Republic of Ireland boss also explains that the commercial worth to the player in becoming an England International player, playing in the quarter-finals of the World Cup is considerably higher than had they opted for Ireland and in the modern game that is always a factor for players, their families and indeed their professional advisors including agents.
It’s an interesting interview and Martin conducts himself very well indeed, although there may be some Republic of Ireland fans reading this who disagree!
Martin O’Neill discussing the Jack Grealish and Declan Rice debacle👀
— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) December 8, 2022
Speaking to Four Four Two Magazine on this subject Martin explained further:
“He [Rice] played in three friendlies for us – he was never a sub in any other game. A lot of the press guys in Dublin were pressing that point but it’s just not morally right when someone might have the choice,” said the former Celtic manager.
“I am sure he and his father would’ve known the rules but I would’ve told them, ‘By the way, if you play in a competitive international, that means you can only play for us from then on.’
“Declan was brilliant for us and I had a really good communication with his father, but he was born in England, he had a right to choose, he chose England, and he’s done really well.
“It was the same with Jack Grealish: the choice was his, and I have absolutely no problem with someone making their own decision. This idea that you’d coerce them into playing for us? Absolutely not.”
