Returning to the international fold for the Republic of Ireland's recent games against Denmark and Wales, Harry Arter has sought to distance himself from the salacious details of his 'row' with assistant manager, Roy Keane.
A story that captivated (and disheartened) fans of Irish football, just as Ireland appeared to lose Declan Rice, Harry Arter briefly looked to be heading for the exit door also.
One of the nation's few Premier League regulars, an arguement with Martin O'Neill's assistant Roy Keane had reportedly given Arter cause to reconsider his international future. Resulting in the Cardiff City man opting out of one series of Ireland games, Arter has since returned to the frame.
Speaking tonight on RTÉ's Game On, Arter sought to play down the impact of his disagreement with Roy Keane, focusing instead on his own failures as an Irish international thus far.
"I just want to try and start performing when selected," Arter admitted.
"That's probably been my biggest disappointment throughout my time with Ireland. I don't feel I've performed anywhere near as well as I could have.
"There's no excuses really. I have to take responsibility for not bringing my club football to the international stage.
"There's no beating around the bush about it."
As for his falling out with Keane, Harry Arter assertively suggested that "as a squad we've got more important things to focus on than that."
Hinting at why he has thus far failed to transmit his club form to the international stage, Arter loosely referenced the "massive change in my life with the move to Cardiff."
Not wanting to "go into the situation too much," the loan move brought an end to the midfielder's unbroken seven-year stint with Bournemouth. Working with the club from League One up to the Premier League, Arter suggested that moving "was the best decision to make for myself and the team."
Of the other burning question surrounding Irish football at the moment, Arter remains confident that both the Irish squad and management are doing all they can to support Declan Rice as he decides upon his international future.
Conceding that Rice is "a top player," Arter is also conscious of the West Ham man's age. As an Irish international born in England himself, Arter has a keen awareness of the difficulty Rice has in making this call.
"Declan seems very old school in his beliefs and his upbringing. If he does pick England it will be a massive loss to us, there's no denying that. But as I say it is difficult for players when they have two countries they have string feelings for.
"As I say I know as a squad we've supported him and as a mate I'll be supporting him."
