Wilson rejects notion of playing for North as Whelan signs new Stoke deal

MARC WILSON has become the second player in the space of a week to reject the possibility of going back on his decision to declare for the Republic of Ireland, with the 24-year-old insisting yesterday that he still has no desire to play for Northern Ireland.

“I have always seen myself as a Republic of Ireland player,” he says. “I supported the Republic when I was growing up and if I have to continue to bide my time and wait for my chance to come along, I am happy to do that.

“The players and the gaffer have done a great job there, so I can’t complain about it really. I would love to play for them one day and I have made that clear a number of times. Hopefully, my time will come in the future.”

Asked about the prospect of making it into Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad for the trip to Poland this summer, the Antrim-born Stoke City star, who could still declare to play for Northern Ireland as he has yet to feature in a senior competitive game for the Republic, said that a call-up would be welcome but that it would have no impact on his long-term international ambitions.

“I would love to try to be part of the squad for the European finals, but if that does not happen, then I will keep working hard at Stoke and try to earn a spot in the Ireland team.”

Wilson’s comments follow a plea by new Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill that those Northern-born players who have declared for the Republic but are still entitled to change their minds under the Fifa rules should do so.

Last week Sunderland’s James McClean confirmed that O’Neill had been in touch with him over the previous few days but said that he had made it clear he had no intention of reversing his position either.

“I have declared myself for the Republic,” he said. “That’s where I see my future. If I don’t get called up, then I’ll live with that but I have confidence in my own ability that I will get a call-up at some stage with the Republic of Ireland. Hopefully this now puts this matter to bed.”

Wilson’s Stoke City team-mate Glenn Whelan, meanwhile, has signed a new 3½-year contract with the Premier League club. The deal contains the option of an additional year when the initial period is up.

“I am loving life at the moment and things are going really well, so I’m absolutely delighted to commit my long-term future to the club,” said the Dubliner who, this time last year, had been widely linked with a move away from the club.

“All of the hard work I have done over the past 12 months has paid off,” he said. “To play at Wembley twice, reach the FA Cup final, play in Europe and be doing well at international level has certainly made it a memorable time for me.”

Stoke manager Tony Pulis, who signed Whelan from Sheffield Wednesday three years ago for €600,000, said that the 28-year-old had earned his new deal with his strong performances and a fierce determination to continue improving.

“Glenn has played a big part in our achievements since he came to the club and it is important to look after players who have been the bedrock of that success,” he said.

“He has had a fantastic time these past 12 months, and he’s shown that he’s a player who thrives on being challenged to step up to the next level.

“That’s probably the Celtic blood in him and a steely determination to prove people wrong, which has included even myself on occasions.”