'I'd take the whole Irish team to Villa' - Dunne
Published: July 22, 2010
(Credit: Alan Kavanagh)
“Stephen Ireland is brilliant so, if he became available then absolutely I’d recommend him. But the manager does his own thing,” said Dunne.
“Regardless of who comes or goes, he still ends up with a team that challenges for a top four or top five.”
“I would recommend the whole Irish team if he asked but he does his own thing and that’s the way he is. He picks a squad, we go into the dressing room and everyone gets along. I think that’s his basis of the team.”
Asked about McGeady and Keane in particular, both of which have been heavily linked with Villa with bids rumoured to be in the offing, Dunne was full of praise.
“Yea it’d be great but the two of them are at different clubs and as far as I know they’re happy there. Whether the manager is interested or not is different, but me personally I’d take the two of them.”
Speaking of Saturday's friendly with Bohemians in Dublin, Dunne was excited at the prospect of playing in Dalymount Park.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll need about 50 tickets. I’ve never played a club game at Dalymount,” said Dunne of the game this Saturday.
Asked if he would like to one day play in the League of Ireland when his career is coming to a close, Dunne was polite but realistic about the idea.
“I’ve thought about it. In an ideal world probably, but realistically…I doubt it,” he said.
It looks like Villa will have to make-do this season without the outgoing James Milner, rumoured to be nearing an exit to Manchester City. But, despite concerns about not making the team, Dunne is praiseworthy of the wealthy club.
“The club will miss James but if he has to move on then the manager will build again. James will know if he wants to go to a club that’s challenging for the Premier League, he’ll be part of a squad. At Aston Villa he’ll play every week, at Man City maybe not.”
“But as a club it’s brilliant. It’s a great club Manchester City. He’ll enjoy himself there but it’s going to be difficult for anyone to get in the team.”
And Dunne was surprised at the way France capitulated in South Africa, refusing to train and going on strike before crashing out bottom of the Group in the first round.
“If you’re going to cheat to get there, you may aswell try,” he said.
Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block.
