The talented 21-year-old volleyed his first goal of the campaign on Monday night to see off Sunderland and secure City's seventh straight home win, lifting them into third spot in the Premier League.
But there was a touch of controversy, with Ireland cheekily exposing his Superman shorts in a celebration that earned him a 'don't do it again' slap on the wrist from the Football Association, who often take a dim view of such humour.
Boss Sven-Goran Eriksson laughed off the incident as exuberance, while Ireland thanked everyone at the club for standing behind him during the Republic of Ireland `Grannygate' scandal.
That furore blew up when he lied about the death of his grandmothers in order to be sent home from international duty to be with his girlfriend, who had suffered a miscarriage.
He then caused more controversy in the Emerald Isle when he pulled out of the Republic squad for two Euro 2008 qualifiers last month, feeling he could not do himself justice on the international stage.
"It has not been tough concentrating on the football," insisted the midfielder.
"There are so many great people at City who have helped me and stood by me, and are continuing to do so.
"I have gone into every game with a clear mind, with the aim of working hard and hopefully letting the football shine.
"What I am looking for is to find some consistency to my game and not look back. I love winning and that is helping."
Having scored his first Premier League goal since last Boxing Day, when he netted the winner at Sheffield United, Ireland is now seeking to add more.
His aim is to help the Blues increase a goal tally that is one of the lowest in the top half of the table.
"I don't think we played particularly well on Monday, but we got the points and that is the way football goes sometimes," Ireland added.
"I was delighted to get off the mark because it won us the game, but also because I wanted to shut Michael Johnson up! He had been giving me some stick about not scoring this season.
"Hopefully that will kick- start my season in terms of goalscoring, because it is vital that everyone contributes from the midfield. In the system that we are playing, with one up front, it is hard work for the striker.
"Now I have got off the mark, the aim is to catch Elano and Martin Petrov."
Eriksson was delighted that it was Ireland who was Monday's match-winner, as the manager has been one of the player's biggest supporters, picking him as a starter whenever possible.
"His goal on Monday was a good strike and he took it well. It will do his confidence good and I am very happy for Stephen," Eriksson said.
Do you think Ireland has the most natural talent at City? Have your say. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
... could be a fantastic player in the next few years ... would like to see him muscle up a bit more .... get some chicken balti's in yer Stevie!!
I am pretty sure that Tommy Bates didnt write this article!
Dont be a bum, ignore the Scum.
I think Ireland is having a great season so far, and this lad will for sure get better. He understands Elano, he covers a huge area, and he is one of the reasons Corluka at rightback got settled so quickly. I dont't understand people going on about his fysics or even think he's not good enough. He's from our own academy, he's still young, he goes on playing better and better, and already at a young age an Ireland international. What more do we want. Sadly for Geovanni as Irelands is keeping him out and imo rightly so.
I doubt that Tommy Bates wrote this article!
Dont be a bum, ignore the Scum!
I notice that the a... h... from king of the kippax has been voicing his egregious opinions in public again, making a particularly vile slur against Ireland on 5live (so crap they named it once) and talking about him in the same breath as Barton. Is he some kind of rag or just brain-dead?
"increase a goal tally that is one of the lowest in the top half of the table". is that really a relevant comment if you are sat looking down upon 17 other teams!!!
Stevie Ireland's superman pants are the best,
They go up from his @rse to his chest,
They are better than Nialls disco pants,
Stevie Ireland's superman pants,
Paul Lake, LOVE IT! I'd love to hear that song er...sang.
After he scored I tried to get a du du du der STEVIE IRELAND... (repeat) chant going and everyone was too busy mocking Keano. Annoyed me no end! show some support from the fella. Imagine how you'd feel if you had 40,000 people singing your name. It'd boost my confidence no end!
Nice on Paul Lakes knee
how about daddy dicks disco pants...........
I'm sorry but I don't think Ireland is first team quality. He may be in the future but he does not contribute enough to games, gives the ball away and gets drawn into peripheral areas. Think about the way in which our midfield continually gets overhwelmed, which means we are defending for most of the match. It's OK to play one youngster (Johnson) but two makes the midfield weak, especially with Petrov's lack of tacking back
Stevie could look at Michael Owen for inspiration, Owen was tiny when he started playing but now his top half is much bigger and he rarely gets pushed off the ball... Stevie has all the skills justs need baulking up and confidence... I think he will go far and the boo boys (those that just have to moan) should leave him alone and pick on someone else - even better stay at home
CTID
He is very important to the system...more than anyone gives him credit for. Hes a talent..theres no doubt. Hope he can get these little problems out of his mind and concentrate on football.
Ireland should concentrate on his football & not draw more attention to himself with daft stunts like this . . . . surely he's had enough bad press recently, why look for more?
Great goal though. Just wish he'd shoot more often & bulk up a bit as he gets pushed off the ball too easily.
Oh knickers! To be fair he has been undie the cosh; he's off his trolleys; and his play has been pants especially when playing up y-front. However he seems to be boxing his way back into it, even if he is as shorts as some jockeys.
Just the little bit of nonsense he needed to put his troubles behind him. I was delighted when I heard what he'd done. While Michael Johnson has proved to be superb, Stevie is the one with the footballing vision. When he's on the prowl he reminds me of the King
Kippax Kid, Peter Doherty,so Ireland scores a Premiership goal (a quality finish) does that make up for all his appalling perfomances and easy missed chances?,if you read all the posts most don't rate the guy check out
team selections, the guy is now off the radar.Chris Baily is a big Ireland fan but even he left him out of
his "best eleven" in one of his "opinion" rants at the end of last season I concede
Ireland has played lot better the last couple of games, I hope he continues to improve and proves me wrong.
CTID,Owen had electric pace,
if Ireland had pace his light stature would not be a problem.
Thai curry pie... do you work for the tabloids? :o)
Stevie Ireland is most fan's wipping boy. True he hasn't helped his cause recently, but he is one of our best footballers. Fan's should get off his back and help him regain his confidence which seemed sky high a couple of months ago. He just needs to put on a bit of muscle.
Tommy Bates. Sven is a big Ireland-fan as well. He was quickly convinced about the boys qualities, and rightly so. In Sven we trust, don't we?
tommybates, Manchester: Owen doesn't have pace now and isnt pushed off it as he is alot bigger - Stevie take note
give the guy a break for god's sake!! i read a sky sports report saying that stevie revealed a pair of "skimpy" shorts!! good grief he wasn't wearing a thong!! 100% home record and yet some of us are still moaning!! get a grip!! CTID
Paul Lake's Knee,
Good effort son but there are too many sylobels in Su-per-man. Lets pretend he was wearing Batman ones instead.
Twosips: I'll be singing this at wigan for you
"When its spring again. i'll sing again, for twosips in Manchester.."
and "swallow, Swallow, we are the city boys, and if you are a wigan fan,surrender all your pies, we will eat for the City .."
of course
The best thing was the reaction of the other players as well.
Petrov, Elano, etc., where all having a good laugh at Stevie's antics.