The booing of Raheem Sterling on Sunday may have been one of the more embarrassing incidents in the recent history of Irish football, but for one former Ireland international, it was indicative of what the youngster has brought on himself. Or at least what has been forced on him by a benevolent agent controlling his every move.
John Aldridge has become the latest figure to hit out at Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, over what he sees as the undue influence being placed upon the 20 year old.
Speaking to the Mirror, the former Ireland and Liverpool striker says Sterling has 'disappeared up his own backside' amid ongoing rumours about his unhappiness at Anfield.
His agent has got to realise the predicament he has got this lad into. The way he has gone about handling the situation with Raheem is pathetic.
Look after the lad. This is a baby. He had a real good spell from November to February and the lad has since just disappeared up his own backside.
Aldridge then went on to say that the booing from a section of the Irish crowd on Sunday and Sterling's subsequent performance 'epitomised what he has come to' since his agent has become so publicly involved.
Sorry Aldo, we're not buying it. Sterling may be young but he's not a mindless puppet. He knows exactly what he's up to. Perhaps it's for the money, perhaps it's for the good of his career but one way or another, he wants out of Anfield.
However, that's not something that Aldridge agrees with. Instead, he placing the entire controversy firmly at the feet of Ward.
He’s a baby. He’s only 20 years of age and he has lost everything going for him at this moment in time. And it is purely down to his agent.
I feel sorry for the lad because obviously he knows the agent well. He believes everything he says and he is leading him down the garden path.
