With the European Championships getting closer by the day, Reading full-back Ian Harte believes his hopes of playing for the Republic of Ireland again are drifting away.
The 34-year-old has been a loyal servant to his country over the years, since his glory days with Leeds United, playing football in the Champions League a decade ago.
It looks like Harte is set for a return to the Premier League with the Royals, who have already confirmed their status as winners of the Championship this term.
The Irishman is on the verge of signing a new one-year contract extension at the club and it’s not surprising to see why manager Brian McDermott wants to keep the veteran at the Madejski.
Harte was named in the Championship Team of the Year for a superb campaign, as his set-pieces, crossing and the ability to come up with the odd goal have served him well yet again. I would bet on the Championship winners being desperate to keep hold of a player of his experience ahead of their top flight return.
The former Carlisle defender has 67 caps to his name for the Republic but has not featured for his country since 2007.
With current boss Giovanni Trapattoni admitting he did not even know Harte was Irish, it’s an embarrassment to the Italian and his support staff to overlook such a player.
Harte could offer so much to Ireland, as they prepare for the Euros in Poland and the Ukraine this summer, as his game can just keep going.
Like fellow veteran David Beckham, Harte’s game is based on the ability to put the ball consistently on a sixpence and that is rare.
However, it looks increasingly likely that Harte will have to Watch Football Live from his armchair this summer.
Trapattoni should serious consider the veteran though, as experience and that ability produce a killer pass or score from a trademark free-kick, could help the country produce some surprising results at the major tournament this summer.
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