Ireland: Back in first-team fray

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McLeish pleased with Ireland

Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has hailed midfielder Stephen Ireland’s recent return to form after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.

Ireland’s return to the first-team fold has coincided with the appointment of McLeish, who is clearly a fan of the 25-year-old.

Despite singing his praises, McLeish was also keen to point out that Ireland is yet to reach his full potential.

McLeish told the Daily Mirror: “During the last couple of weeks of good games he has played his training has also been different class.

“The pictures he sees are those only great players can see. I was a half-decent footballer, but I definitely could not see the pictures Ireland sees and many others can’t either.

“He deserves to be in the team. He wants to go through brick walls for the fans and the club and that has endeared him.

“It has not happened overnight, we have been chatting to the boy and showing him videos. It has to click with the player eventually.

“We looked at some of the City stuff.

“He is a tremendous footballer and it would be a shame to see that talent no fulfilled.”