McCann sent home

Last updated : 21 November 2007 By Tony Scholes
Chris McCann
McCann had been called up at this level for the first time and had been an unused sub last Friday when they were beaten 1-0 by Montenegro. He was again named on the bench for the second of the games against Bulgaria but, according to the news in Ireland, he decided two hours before kick off that he didn't want to be involved.

Current Irish boss Don Givens said after the game which the Republic of Ireland won 1-0: "The background was that Chris McCann came to me at 5.15pm and said he didn't want to be in the squad tonight. It was a waste of time him being here.

"He travelled to Montenegro and did not take part. He wasn't in the starting line-up tonight and he didn't want to be in the squad. I said to him 'have a think about it because it is obviously going to affect your future'.

"He said that he didn't want to be in so I said to pack his things and go. I regret now that he hadn't told me earlier because I'd have got somebody else on the bench. I'd have got a local boy in.

"I could have got somebody in because half this town would give their right arm to play for their country. Here's a kid who doesn't want to be there. I can never understand anybody that doesn't want to pull on the green shirt.

"I don't know the boy very well. He trained fine. There was no problem with his training in Dublin or here. As soon as the team was announced I wish he'd come to me then."

This is just one side of the story but it really could hinder any hope Chris has of playing at international level with Givens adding: "Will I pick him again? Would you?"