“Jack is now 20 and should be making his own decisions, especially as it impacts on the rest of his career”.
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Ireland and Aston Villa legend Paul McGrath believes Jack Grealish has made a mistake by choosing to play with England over the Republic of Ireland.
Although the saga has ended, the paperwork to facilitate the switchover will not be processed in time for Grealish to make his England senior debut against either Estonia or Latvia next month.
“But he has to show it on a regular basis”.
“They’ll play him in a couple of games and then he may find that he’s been shut out”.
“He still has a lot to prove, he has shown he has great ability”.
“He’s got a lot of competition there so he needs to make sure that he is playing well for Aston Villa – and we’re sure he will”.
“His chances of getting a regular spot with the England team would be a little more limited and we could do with him at the moment as well”.
McGrath is unconvinced by suggestions Grealish could have changed his mind over potential financial benefits but is concerned for the implications for the youngster’s worldwide career. He was eligible to play for the Republic through his grandparents.
“I don’t think they could have”. Money shouldn’t be an issue when you’re talking about your country anyway.
With the Three Lions’ place in next summer’s final in France already secured, Hodgson has confirmed he is likely to use the remaining qualifying games to take a look at a few different players.
The midfielder will have to play well to earn the right to feature in the November friendlies.
McGrath also dispelled the suggestion made by RTÉ analyst Eamon Dunphy that Martin O’Neill should have capped the 20-year-old at senior level for Ireland sooner.
“As I said to Martin, we don’t have a crystal ball”.
He has since played 21 league games for the claret and blues, scoring his first goal this month in a 3-2 defeat at Leicester. He will have discussed it with his father and eventually chose England for whatever reasons.
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“It’s good news for England”, Sherwood told AVTV.
