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4th September 2024
10:44am BST
Republic of Ireland forward Callum Robinson has issued a warning to his close pal Jack Grealish ahead of the Manchester City star's visit to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Ireland face England in the Uefa Nations League, and Grealish could play his first match in the Irish capital since his days as an Ireland underage international.
Robinson and Grealish met when they were about eight years old and came through the Aston Villa youth academy together.
According to a lengthy piece in The Athletic, published in 2020, the pair were so close that they would play 'Wembley' together in the garden of Grealish's family home and argued with each other while playing FIFA on PlayStation.
This weekend, the lifelong mates will swap a back garden in Solihull for the bright lights of Dublin's Aviva Stadium, marking the first time that Grealish will tog out for England against the country he once swore allegiance to.
The 2023 Champions League winner made 19 underage appearances for Ireland at underage level before switching his allegiance to England in 2015.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of this weekend's game, Robinson was asked if Grealish will be ready for the reception he is likely to receive from the Ireland fans he once played for.
"I don’t know what abuse he might get but I think he’ll be expecting it," he said.
"I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t because I think he gets booed anywhere he goes, even in England so I think he’ll be getting ready for a bit of abuse.
"But listen, that’s part of it, that’s part of the game, and I think he’s old enough and being a senior player, that stuff is going to come, he gets it in England games anyway, or English games in the Prem. I don’t think there will be any change on Saturday, I think he’ll be getting it."
Speaking about their friendship, Robinson added: "Me and Jack are good friends since we started together when we were 13, 14. It feels good between us that we’re playing against each other in international football.
"I was surprised he wasn’t picked for the Euros. I thought he’d bring something different to that squad on and off the pitch."
Robinson, who has had a strong start to the season for Championship club Cardiff City, reflected on his difficult period in his international career.
The 29-year-old is returning to the Ireland squad for the first time in a year after John O'Shea failed to select him during his tenure as interim coach.
"[It was] not nice at all. But I expected it," he said.
"I spoke to Sheasy (John O’Shea) in the summer. I only played two 25 minutes due to a few injuries at the back end of last season. Sheasy did not have to explain himself.
"In the summer I grafted, worked really hard, looked after my body and had it in my mind to get back into the squad.
"The start of the season went well and this topped it off, getting back with the boys. I am really happy at the moment. Worked hard. Worked my way back into the squad."
The Nations League clash between Ireland and England takes place this Saturday, September 7. Kick-off at the Aviva Stadium is scheduled for 5 pm.
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