Stephen Ireland vs. Republic of Ireland: Who Is Right and Who Is Wrong?

With a name like Ireland you would be led to believe that Manchester City's midfield maestro was born to play for his country.

To a degree, you would be right.

On a squad that boasts Shay Given, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Craig Bellamy, Nigel De Jong, Vincent Kompany and Robinho to name but a few, it has been Stephen Ireland—the young man who came up through Manchester City's acclaimed youth academy—who has been the club's best and most consistent performer this season.

Ireland has arguably been one of the top ten players in the English Premier League this season, while also performing well for Manchester City as they go in search of UEFA Cup glory.

However, to much upset and anger to the Irish public, Stephen Ireland has not played for his country since September 2007.

But who is at fault for this? 

Is it the player for bringing so much negative press on himself, or is it the Irish managerial setup of Giovanni Trapattoni, Marco Tardelli, and Liam Brady for not doing enough to bring this huge talent back to the international fold?

To those few that may not know the story, Stephen Ireland withdrew from the Irish squad days before a crucial game against the Czech Republic claiming that his maternal grandmother had died.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) granted him compassionate leave and arranged a private plane to fly him home.

However, the Irish media quickly ascertained that this was in fact a lie and found Ireland's maternal grandmother to be alive and well. The player then claimed it was in fact his paternal grandmother that had passed away.

Again, the media also discovered this to be an untruth.

Eventually, Ireland admitted he had lied and said the real reason he had returned home was because of his girlfriend suffering a miscarriage.

The FAI and then Irish manager Steve Staunton were furious at Ireland's lies, and claimed that had he told the truth they would have endeavoured to get him back to Ireland as soon as possible.

As it is, Stephen Ireland has not put back on the Irish shirt since then.

As well as the " Granny-gate" affair, Ireland also claimed to have been picked on by his Irish teammates over a reputed hair transplant.

It is understandable that Stephen Ireland and the international setup would need a break from each other.

Since these episodes in his life, Ireland has come on leaps and bounds as a player and a professional.

He returned early to pre-season training for Manchester City and the benefits are there for all to see. At times, he has left new record signing Robinho in the shade. He is the link man in the City midfield and isn't afraid to get back to help out his defence.

The international side too have built on the haphazard side that Stephen Ireland left behind.

The FAI opened up the coffers to bring in the hugely admired and experienced Italian Giovanni Trapattoni in order to steady the ship and guide Ireland towards South Africa.

In Group Eight of the Qualifiers, the Irish remain unbeaten with three wins and three draws, standing just two points behind reigning World Champions Italy.

So with both Stephen Ireland's personal career going well and the international side on the right road to South Africa, isn't it about time the two made up and Ireland returned to represent his country?

However there appears to be a stumbling block that may just be arrogance on both sides.

Upon his arrival as Irish coach, Trapattoni claimed to have had a meeting with Stephen Ireland to tell him he would welcome him back from international exile whenever the player felt ready. All he needed to do was call.

However, the Irish are now half way through the qualifying campaign and Ireland has yet to return to the fold.

Ireland are in a good position in their group and there is real belief that the country can at least make the two legged play-offs as they go in search of reaching their first major tournament since World Cup 2002 in Japan and South Korea.

The Republic have a decent defense in Shay Given, Richard Dunne and John O'Shea while Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle supply the goals. However, Ireland are severely lacking in midfield.

That is where namesake Stephen Ireland comes into the frame.

He is the link man that the national side are so dearly crying out for. Against Italy last weak, Trapattoni sent out an inexperienced midfield of Stephen Hunt, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews and Andy Keogh.

While Whelan and Andrews are both willing and able to do their duty for their country, their ability to link the play as Stephen Ireland can do is incomparable.

At times, the Irish central midfield is almost non-existent. When Whelan or Andrews are subbed it is ofter Manchester United's fifth choice midfielder, Darron Gibson who enters the fray.

With Trapattoni claiming that one of the Republic's best passers of the ball, Sunderland's Andy Reid, does not fit his schema, Irish fans are beginning to wonder if the Italian is doing all he can to get the best available players at his disposal.

Stephen Ireland and his father have claimed through the media that the player made himself available for selection for the match against Georgia in February. The Irish setup said they "never received a call."

Who are the Irish public to believe in this situation?

The player who claims it is an honour to wear the shirt, an honour he would like to happen again? 

Or should we believe the Irish management ,who say they will consider Ireland once he makes that phone call?

Perhaps it is all too late, after all the campaign is half over.

Either way, the Republic of Ireland are in the best position they have been in a long time. It would be a terrible pity were the country to miss out on qualification because of an uninventive midfield while Superman is waiting in the wings.