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“Come and watch me play”
By Phil Campion
I RELAND striker Clinton Morrison was shocked that Steve Staunton and
Don Givens chose to ignore him at international level and is hoping for
a more favourable reception in the new regime.
“I love being in the Ireland squad,” Morrison told The Irish
Post. “It was disappointing not to be called up.”
Staunton didn’t pick Morrison after the team’s pathetic display
in Cyprus in October 2006 while Givens didn’t want the Crystal Palace
striker to play in last month’s friendly with Brazil even though
he was in fine form in the Championship.
“Hopefully with the form I’m showing this season, if I get
a few more goals before the end of the season I will get called up,”
he said.
“It is down to the new manager, all I can do is carry on doing what
I’m doing for Crystal Palace and hopefully it will sort itself out.”
Now that Liam Brady has been appointed to Giovanni Trapattoni’s
coaching staff Morrison hopes to see the former Arsenal midfielder in
the stands at Selhurst Park.
“Liam Brady hasn’t got far to travel to see me down from the
Emirates — it is just down the road.
“It has been a shock to be out but to get back in the squad would
be quality. I really enjoy playing for Ireland,” said Morrison who
has scored nine times in 36 senior appearances.
“It is an enjoyment to go out there and play — hopefully I
can get back into the squad then it is up to me to work myself back into
the team.”
Morrison has looked menacing for Palace all season clocking up 14 League
goals.
His manager Neil Warnock is rotating his strikers like he did at Sheffield
United with Clinton starting on the bench for almost a third of the League
games this season much to the annoyance of the 28-year-old forward.
“I’m not happy. I want to play every game but you have got
to accept the manager’s decision and get on with it,” said
the former Birmingham City striker.
“Obviously it is frustrating when you are scoring goals and you
are out of the team but that is something you have just got to get on
with.”
Crystal Palace have offered a new contract to the London-born player,
who is in his second spell at Selhurst Park.
Morrison left the Eagles for Birmingham City in 2002 in a £4.25million
deal however his current contract expires in the summer when he could
leave the promotion hopefuls for nothing.
Reading are reportedly interested in signing the marksman.
“My agent is speaking to the club and we just have to see where
it goes,” he said. “There is still a long way to go to sort
it out. It is nice to be linked with a Premier League club but I don’t
let the hype surround me — I just get on with what I’ve got
to do with Palace and kick on.” |
