PAUL SCHOLES KNOWS how Jack Grealish feels, he says.
Writing in his Independent column today, the former Old Trafford playmaker says he could have played for Ireland, the North or obviously England.
He chose the Three Lions and thinks Aston Villa starlet Grealish should do the same.
“I had the same options as Jack Grealish when it came to international football, in fact I could have played for Northern Ireland as well as the Republic,” he writes.
“On my mum Marie’s side, my Nana was from the Republic of Ireland and my Granddad was from the north. Lots of families in Manchester have strong Irish connections but it never occurred to me to play for anyone other than England.
“I really like Grealish as a player. He has got promise. I haven’t seen enough of him to know whether he is a No 10 or better coming off the left-hand side. Only time will tell how many goals he has in him. Only time will tell if he is going to pull his socks up, too. Juan Sebastian Veron had that habit as well.
“But what I can see in Grealish is that he is a clever player. He has great control, he can dribble and he can pass. He might well have a free-kick in him too. Let’s not go overboard yet. There are the makings of a decent player there.
“What I don’t understand is why he has taken time off from international football. You need to start playing international football first before you think about taking time off. I guess it is about giving himself time to choose between Ireland and England. The Republic will always need him more but England is where he will play at the higher level. The fact that he is prepared to take his time probably tells you he is a confident boy.”
