Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland has revealed that even his own son is putting pressure on him to make an international return.

The Cork-born player hasn’t featured for his country since the famous Grannygate incident, but has indicated his willingness to play again after the Euro finals.

“Until the question comes from the FAI, I can’t really think about playing for Ireland right now,” Ireland told reporters. “But things are much more settled in my life now and I’m at a club where I am playing regularly.

 “Even the kids are putting me under pressure to play for Ireland but that’s a nice pressure. My seven-year-old, Joshua, is playing football himself now and he’s really good and getting really interested in it. He would like to see me playing for Ireland.

 “Even my fiancée Jessica wants me to go back because she wants what’s best for my career.

“But I really don’t know how to answer questions about this at the moment because right now it’s all coming from the press side of things.”