Surprisingly, it has nothing to do with Seamus Coleman.
Another day, another example of Everton boss Ronald Koeman getting very pissed off about how Ireland manager Martin O’Neill treats his club’s players.
Or, to be more specific, one James McCarthy.
McCarthy had to be withdrawn from action minutes before Ireland’s friendly against Wales last Friday, with David Meyler stepping in in his place.
The midfielder had missed the previous two games for the Toffees with a hamstring injury and – even though he played no part in the Ireland game – will miss Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Anfield.
“It was a final decision against the (advice of the) medical staff of Ireland and also against the medical staff of Everton,” Koeman told the Irish Daily Mirror.
“And there are two people responsible for that.
“One is the player by himself. Finally, if he says, ‘Yes. I’m fit’, okay, but even the player needs protection from the manager and, once again, they didn’t give that protection to the player.”
Koeman compared the treatment of McCarthy to Belgium (and former Everton) boss Roberto Martinez’ decision to rest Romelu Lukaku for the friendly against Russia.
“I was pleased by Martinez that, one, Kevin Mirallas was starting (in the friendly in Russia) and, second, that Romelu was not starting,” he added.
“That’s good for us, because he played for 95 minutes in the qualification game against Greece.
“You like people to understand… not like Ireland.”
