Andy Reid says he is desperate to regain his place in the Republic of Ireland squad, claiming he would ‘swim to Ireland’ to don the green shirt.
Sunderland midfielder Reid has not played a minute for Ireland under Giovanni Trapattoni and was left out completely from the squad to play Poland in last month’s friendly. His absence from the side has generated much debate among Irish fans and pundits alike, especially as Trapattoni has gone with less experienced players such as Glenn Whelan and Darron Gibson.
And Reid admits that his omission from the side is a wrench as he is immensely proud every time he pulls on the Irish shirt and he just hopes he will be doing so again soon.
“All I can say is that I am very proud, very proud to be Irish and I am as proud as anybody,” Reid told Today FM's Ray D'Arcy show.
“I am very proud of the Irish culture and the Irish music and I would swim tomorrow to Ireland to play for them.”
Reid had a publicised row with Trapattoni when Ireland were in Germany to face Georgia in the opening game of their World Cup 2010 qualification campaign, but he insists that that is not the reason for his continued exile, adding: “No, that’s not the case at all.
“I would never ever turn down the chance to play for my country. Every time I have played I have been more than committed.”