WOLVES MIDFIELDER JAMIE O’Hara insists he will never declare for the Republic of Ireland, despite the fact that much of his father’s family is Irish.
The former Tottenham midfielder still holds ambitions of playing for England and feels it would be unfair on Irish-born players were he to come in and take their place.
“I want to play for England. It’s always been my aim to play for England since I was a kid. I’ve played for England at all levels,” O’Hara told Sky Sports.
“And it would be unfair to play for Ireland. I love all my Irish family. I speak to them all the time. They would love me to play for Ireland. But it would be unfair on the Irish players.”
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He said: “I definitely have a chance to be in and around the squad. I was in the same Under 21s side as James Milner, Adam Johnson, Joe Hart, Micah Richards and Theo Walcott.
“They’ve all broken through now and I think I can get in there with them. And I believe the Irish section of my family would be proud of me if I ever played for England.
“To get in the England squad you need to be in a winning team and to score and create goals. I’ve got that in my game.”
Fantastic honesty. I hope his dream comes true. Could easily have declared for Ireland to up his profile but has chosen to follow his dream. Stephen Ireland take note!
I agree completely. It makes a mockery of the jersey to have people declare purely to boost their career, or their coffers by using it to find a bigger club. O’Hara has always been straight on this. Never hedged his bets.
Well done Jamie O’Hara. He is a creative mid-fielder who has an eye for goal and will push forward. Not a chance Trap would play him even if he did declare for ROI. Trap only wants to playing defensive minded mid-fielders.
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Fantastic honesty. I hope his dream comes true. Could easily have declared for Ireland to up his profile but has chosen to follow his dream. Stephen Ireland take note!
I agree completely. It makes a mockery of the jersey to have people declare purely to boost their career, or their coffers by using it to find a bigger club. O’Hara has always been straight on this. Never hedged his bets.
Well done Jamie O’Hara. He is a creative mid-fielder who has an eye for goal and will push forward. Not a chance Trap would play him even if he did declare for ROI. Trap only wants to playing defensive minded mid-fielders.
With honesty and self-integrity like that, I sincerely hope he achieves his dream of playing for England.