Morrison tells Mick: come and get me - January 15, 2001
Ireland could have a new international striker by the end of the week. Crystal Palace star Clinton Morrison is eligible to play for Ireland and would count it as a great honour if Mick McCarthy asked him to join the set up.
The 21-year-old Tooting-born goal machine has been tracked by McCarthy and Ian Evans for the last year but the pair were moving slowly because they thought the player had designs on playing for England.
Morrison has dispelled this by saying he would love to play for Ireland. The striker said: "I'm available, if he (McCarthy) wants me, all he has to do is ask. It would be an honour to play for Ireland."
Ireland have been worried about the lack of attacking options in the current squad and the situation is sure to get worse when Niall Quinn decides to call it a day at international level, which will come fairly soon.
Morrison has proved himself as one of the most exciting forwards in England over the last two season with a goal every two games.
The only doubt about the player is his temperament. The Irish squad are a happy bunch who all pull for each other but Morrison is inclined to throw childish tantrums as he showed when he was substituted at the weekend against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Palace were 2-0 up against the run of play and manager Alan Smith decided to remove Morrison, replacing him with Dougie Freedman. Morrison turned on everybody on the Palace bench and when Freedman scored he just sat there with a sulky face on him.
An attitude like this would not be appreciated in the Irish set-up so he would want to get it out of his character if he plans on joining because Ireland captain Roy Keane will knock it out of him if not.