IRELAND INTERNATIONAL TEAM-mates James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady are set for a difficult return to their country of birth, according to former Scotland international Pat Nevin.
McCarthy and McGeady, both born in Scotland but eligible to represent Ireland through their parents, chose the Boys in Green over the Tartan Army at a young age.
Having begun their professional club careers at Hamilton Academical and Celtic respectively, the pair are currently plying their trade in the Premier League with Everton.
Yesterday’s Euro 2016 qualifying draw saw Ireland and Scotland pitted together in Group D meaning they will meet twice over the next 18 months with the two players likely to be involved.
Scotland’s home ground Hampden Park is unavailable for the scheduled fixture on 14 November and Celtic’s Parkhead, where both Martin O’Neill and opposite number Gordon Strachan both had spells, has been mooted as a possible alternative.
And speaking on Newstalk’s Off The Ball tonight, Nevin said he believes McCarthy and McGeady could come in for some criticism: ”There’s a lot of people that are angry with (McCarthy). There’s a very dark and subtle political side to it.
“But there are a lot of people who admire him for what he’s done.”
“He (McCarthy) will get booed. So will Aiden McGeady. I’m not sure how vitriolic it will be. From certain individuals in the Tartan Army, it will be.
I come from (an Irish) background and I had the option between the Republic or Scotland. My Dad strongly favoured that I played for Ireland.
“My parents would have been Ireland supporters more than Scotland supporters and I’m first generation Scotland. But that didn’t make me anti-Irish.
“There will be some negativity but it will blow over. I don’t think it’s very deep-rooted.”
Listen back to the full Off The Ball interview on Newstalk’s website
