Koeman would have always gone Dutch

ISN’T it odd that even the great international players suffer amnesia when they become managers?

If Ronald Koeman had been fit to play for Holland, I am pretty sure he would have made himself available and he played.

So how he can object to James McCarthy playing for Ireland last month, when he said he was fit, is beyond me.

His comments to Martin O’Neill, and to the Irish medical staff were out of order. O’Neill and Ireland have done nothing wrong.

James deserves full credit for wanting to play for his country after the difficulties he had when Roberto Martinez was in charge.

You would think no one would criticise him. But Koeman (right) has, and he has lashed out at everybody in the process. He did not refer to Ireland’s doctor Alan Byrne by name, but he did mention the medical staff and Irish team doctor. That is a disgrace. I have worked with Alan and saw him argue with Giovanni Trapattoni, and other managers, to ensure that the player’s health comes first. And I know he would never jeopardise that and it will always be his number one priority. And the medical staff and manager will always listen to the player too. And if James says he is fit to play, he should be admired and encouraged. He certainly shouldn’t find himself in the middle of a club and country row.

The longlist for the squad for the Austria game quite rightly features two Dundalk lads Daryl Horgan and Andy Boyle. Horgan deserves to be in the final 23 too, but we will wait and see on that.

A move to England for them seems inevitable now, with Barnsley showing interest in Boyle, and I believe they both have the ability to make the step up.