Shay Given tells Jack Grealish to stay Irish
Aston Villa player-coach Shay Given has urged youngster Jack Grealish to reject England and pledge his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.
Grealish, who has been capped by Ireland at under-21 level, is undecided about his full international future and could still opt to hold out for an England call-up.
But 38-year-old goalkeeper Given hopes the young Birmingham-born midfielder will reject the switch.
Given, who played the first half of Ireland's friendly against Oman last night, said: "Jack's one of those ones that could play over a hundred times for Ireland.
"He's one of those talented guys and you can see on the pitch that he's got it. He's a top player.
"He is only 18 and you can forget that he's only a kid, really, you try an imagine yourself inside his head.
"You have agents saying 'If you play for England you can do this and that'.
"He has played underage level for us and he's with the under-21s this week, he is good enough to be in the senior team – he is that good.
"He is a very talented player and I don't want to build him up too much as Roy Hodgson's ears will be pricking up in England, but he is a talented player and we hope he turns out in the green."
