Alex Bruce switches allegiance to play for Norn Iron

deiseach · July 03, 2011, 12:08:09 PM

Quote from: Hardy on July 03, 2011, 11:38:29 AM
I understand he was inspired to try, try again to establish his international career by watching a spider trying to spin a web in a cave.

Did he have this epiphany on Rathlin Island?

Hardy · July 03, 2011, 12:57:43 PM

I think so. Maybe if he doesn't make it with OWC, he could play for Rathlin.

ExcellentDriver · July 03, 2011, 01:44:48 PM

He's s**te anyway.

NI have far better Defenders than him (Evans, McAuley, Craigan, Cathart) waiting on the wing should Hughsie retire. It's simply an attempt to win the Caps his Father never managed to win.

ps, Appreciating the irony of the comparison to Paul 'If I'd have done my Job the ball wouldn't have found Thierry's Hand' McShane.

nifan · July 04, 2011, 12:55:58 PM

QuoteIt's simply an attempt to win the Caps his Father never managed to win.

NI would have bent over backwards to get Steve Bruce, as would the ROI i am sure.
He wanted to play for England, and unfortuntely it never happened for him.
Alex doesnt seem to have his fathers strength of conviction, obviously feeling ROI where the better team, and now changing as he doesnt look like getting picked there.

If he plays Ill support him, though it cheapens things a bit when he obviously has little respect for ROI fans or NI fans.

deiseach · July 04, 2011, 12:58:23 PM

nifan, I presume the reaction on OWC (the website) is, er, less than generous?

nifan · July 04, 2011, 01:12:24 PM

I dunno - not really on there at all anymore.
From those I have talked to they arent that impressed with him. If he was a better player im sure he would be forgiven by more....

haranguerer · July 04, 2011, 01:17:17 PM

This is absolutely brilliant - it completely makes a mockery of the whole row over players going the other way. Surely another testament too to the stupidity of the IFA - if they had been planning challenges to the dual nationality rule (which wouldnt have been successful anyway in fairness), this weakens their case even further, surely they would have been better waiting to see what way it all panned out before bringing an average player in??!

red hander · July 04, 2011, 06:39:20 PM

A pub player for a pub team

lynchbhoy · July 04, 2011, 06:43:54 PM

jeez chaps,
he isnt that bad a player. there have been (and are) worse playing for england , let alone Ireland or the north of Ireland team.
he'd captain wales or jockoland.
best of luck to him.

michaelg · July 04, 2011, 10:54:22 PM

Quote from: haranguerer on July 04, 2011, 01:17:17 PM
This is absolutely brilliant - it completely makes a mockery of the whole row over players going the other way. Surely another testament too to the stupidity of the IFA - if they had been planning challenges to the dual nationality rule (which wouldnt have been successful anyway in fairness), this weakens their case even further, surely they would have been better waiting to see what way it all panned out before bringing an average player in??!

As a NI fan, I agree with everything you say. Unfortunately, however, as i am sure you can appreciate, I would not describe it as absolutely brilliant. The stupidity of the IFA is truly astounding, as is their ability to misread the feelings of the fans - Many of whom are now considering binning their block bookings. However, I think neither team / association come out of this well. I think it demeans both teams if ballbags like Adam Barton and Alex Bruce are prepared to switch allegiance so readily.

ExcellentDriver · July 05, 2011, 10:23:04 AM

Quote from: michaelg on July 04, 2011, 10:54:22 PM
Quote from: haranguerer on July 04, 2011, 01:17:17 PM
This is absolutely brilliant - it completely makes a mockery of the whole row over players going the other way. Surely another testament too to the stupidity of the IFA - if they had been planning challenges to the dual nationality rule (which wouldnt have been successful anyway in fairness), this weakens their case even further, surely they would have been better waiting to see what way it all panned out before bringing an average player in??!
As a NI fan, I agree with everything you say. Unfortunately, however, as i am sure you can appreciate, I would not describe it as absolutely brilliant. The stupidity of the IFA is truly astounding, as is their ability to misread the feelings of the fans - Many of whom are now considering binning their block bookings. However, I think neither team / association come out of this well. I think it demeans both teams if ballbags like Adam Barton and Alex Bruce are prepared to switch allegiance so readily.

Agree wholeheartedly.