Former Republic of Ireland U21 boss Don Givens has blasted Keith Treacy for a lack of professionalism.
It has been reported that Preston winger Treacy got in touch with Giovanni Trapattoni to pull out of the senior Ireland squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Russia and Slovakia as he was tired and needed a rest. And Givens says it is not the first time the player has put himself first.
“Unfortunately Keith has a lot of talent, but his discipline and dedication to the game doesn’t match the talent,” Givens told backpagefootball.com’s the Hold the Back Page podcast.
“I was hoping I’d be wrong that through his career there’ll always be hiccups because of a lack of professionalism and discipline.
“I had problems with Keith with the U21s and unfortunately from what I hear, he’s pulled out (of the senior squad).
“With the 21s, I always seemed to have got the backlash of certain players for being a strict disciplinarian, but I think if you’d had a poll of players who have been out with me, that wouldn’t be how they’d see it.
“But I certainly think that things have changed, it’s a little bit more difficult to deal with younger players now than it was maybe in the past and certainly when I was a young player.
“The willingness or the enthusiasm to put on the green jersey is always vital to me, I see it as one of our strong points – our commitment to the cause has always been very good to us – and when I see somebody who is lacking that I kind of find it hard to accept.
“And Keith, for whatever his reasons are or the excuses he comes up with, is lacking that thing which is basic whether you’re earning £200 a week or £20,000 a week, if you don’t want to put on that green shirt, don’t bother coming son.”