You have to feel sorry for Martin O'Neill. One side of things he's getting lambasted for making a mockery of the Irish setup in chasing Jack Grealish and on the other hand he's criticised for not doing all he could to make Grealish come to a different conclusion.
In reality, the Irish boss probably played it about as well as he could. It was obvious he was getting sick of it all yet, publicly at least, he made it clear that he still wanted Grealish for the good of Irish football. It didn't happen, most would say it was never going to happen. But that hasn't stopped the criticism being directed at O'Neill by many who have felt Ireland's pursuit of the Villa youngster has been decidedly undignified.
O'Neill addressed those suggestions during the media briefing at Ireland training yesterday and his response is perhaps the greatest indication yet of just how ridiculous the whole scenario became.
I never prostituted myself in any way, shape or form trying to get Jack Grealish.
I never chased it. I never chased Jack Grealish at all. I think Jack Grealish and his father would readily admit that. In fact, I've actually been accused of the other thing - of not chasing it up.
Perhaps there was no need to be so dramatic with his choice of words but that really does sum up how farcical the situation became. The Irish manager defending himself against accusations that he tried too hard to get an Irish u21 international to play for Ireland.
The reality of the situation was that we needed Grealish and O'Neill addressed that fact with some simple home truths.
Whether, as some journalists are saying, you go and prostitute yourself about taking players who were not actually born in the country.
Naturally, I would love if every single of one of these players were born and bred here but that may not necessarily be the case.
Granny-ruling may not be ideal but it's the hand that O'Neill has been dealt. The structure that has made that a reality was put in place long before he was in charge and it's unlikely to be changed by the time he has left. Criticising O'Neill for 'prostituting' himself over Grealish is simply scapegoating of the highest order.
