Marc Wilson is set to represent Ireland at a major tournament for the first time at Euro 2016, but this isn’t the first time the opportunity has presented itself.
Wilson broke into the Irish set-up as the starting left back for the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign, but prior to that he was on the periphery of the squad.
When the Boys In Green were preparing for Euro 2012, Wilson assumed that he would not be getting the call from Giovanni Trapattoni to Poland. He was technically right, but although the manager didn’t ring him personally, he revealed to the Sunday Times that one of Trap’s “flunkies” called him to offer him a late notice spot in the squad.
“It was a strange one. I actually did get called into the squad, late doors for whatever reason.”
However, Wilson had been sitting on the metaphorical couch/literal sun lounger when he received the call. The Antrim man had to turn down the offer as he was holidaying it up with his wife in Barbados and he felt because he had not been training adequately, his inclusion would not have added anything to the team.
“The team were already at their training camp in Italy. I just said; ‘Listen, I have been off for a few weeks and I don’t think it’s possible or beneficial to come back in and train and be ready for the Euros. It’s not the right decision for me or the team.’ It was just left at that. I hadn’t been training, I was sitting on the beach in Barbados with my wife.”
Although he maintains he would not have been 100% fit for the Euros, Wilson did admit that he may have been swayed to join up with Ireland if Trapattoni had made the call personally.
“Maybe if he had called me up himself, who knows? But I still don’t think I would have been of benefit to the team.”
