It's international selection day, that means it's once again time for Martin O'Neill's favourite hobby. You just know that the Ireland manager wakes up on days like this and curses the name Jack Grealish. The Aston Villa youngster has been the elephant in the room anytime O'Neill opens his mouth and it doesn't take long for his name to be mentioned.
The go-to routine has been for O'Neill to deflect the questions and try and sound as if none of it is bothering him, 'Jack will make a decision when he's ready' and all that. It's very difficult to believe him. He knows Ireland need Grealish in the long term but you sense he would be much happier if Grealish was someone's else's problem.
He's not though, he's O'Neills but at least we're at the end of the road, or so we thought. Throughout last year, the word from the Grealish camp was that he was concentrating on his club career and he would make a decision at the start of the new season.
It's now the start of the new season and there's an international call-up happening today. While there may also be some questions about the previous cause-du-jour, Stephen Ireland, Grealish will still be at the forefront of everyone's mind.
However, the Independent are reporting that O'Neill will have to play the old game yet again. It seems O'Neill has spoken to Grealish yet again and nothing has changed. The long and short of is that the 19 year old needs more time to make up his decision and he will continue to put off making a decision on his international future.
We're sure O'Neill is absolutely delighted with that news.
