The young midfielder has only just turned 18, but is already cutting his teeth on the training pitches at Carrington with the seniors and has made such progress that manager Kevin Keegan has already included him in one of his squads.
A jack-in-the-box playmaker, who is always on the look-out for the next defence-splitting pass, Ireland bristles with youthful brio on the pitch. He is never happier than when a ball is at his feet.
Off the field, however, he is rather more introverted, almost as if he is wrestling to come to terms with the progress he has made. Mingling with household names such as Steve McManaman, David James and Robbie Fowler has taken some getting used to.
But if Keegan is going to hit the mark with his prediction, that is something Ireland is going to have to get used to.
The Blues chief has spoken in glowing terms about the youngster and rewarded him with a trip to Middlesbrough before Christmas.
The journey to Teesside was purely for educational purposes and Ireland admits that it was an eye-popping experience. From the moment he stepped on to the bus, he appreciated that he was in a completely unique situation.
"Going to Middlesbrough was crazy. I've never experienced anything like that in my life, but hopefully there will be a lot more to come in the future," said Ireland.
"The players I have been in the reserves with, I have known them since I was 14. But being with the first team was a totally different environment.
Legends
"The experienced pros that have really helped me out are [Steve] McManaman and [Robbie] Fowler.
"They tell me in certain situations what I should do to help me improve. You can't help but learn from them, because they are legends.
"If I have a problem, I'll discuss it with the lads in my age group. It's little things like asking them where I should sit on the bus or what I should be doing, because when I went with the party to Middlesbrough, I just didn't know what to do.
"I was scared really," he admitted. "I kept thinking that all the older professionals were looking at me and thinking 'what's this young kid doing here?' Things just go through your head like that all the time.
"But to succeed at football, a lot of it has to be up in your head.
"That trip to Middlesbrough really helped me, though, and I'm very hungry for more of the same now.
"I just have to be patient and make sure that I continue a steady development."
While he may have to wait a little bit longer before the chance arrives to follow in the footsteps of peers such as Nedum Onuoha, Willo Flood and Bradley Wright-Phillips, City chief Keegan is sure that Ireland has the ability to succeed.
"He is improving and the reason I like him around the squad at the minute is because he has got some invention in him," said the manager. "He is a different type of midfield player and is the type who can create something.
"He is still growing and has not got his full strength yet, but he has certainly got something. Since Shaun Wright-Phillips has come through and done what he has done, it has been like a domino effect.
"You touch one and all of a sudden the whole pack goes. You start thinking `he's alright - and he's alright, too'."
You can read Dominic King's full interview with Stephen Ireland in the new edition of the CITY MAGAZINE, which is on sale now.
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We have been crying out for a creative midfield player. If he's physically up to it, Stephen Ireland could well be the answer. Let's hope he gets his chance soon.
No idea - will we be able to see him in the first team?
Dont make me more angry this latest young player wont get a run with Keegan still here,PLEASE GO KEEGAN YOU ARE A WASTED SPACE MOST CITY FANS ARE BEGINNING TO LOATHE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE DESTROYING OUR SPIRIT.
Stanandeliver you are obviously a bitter and twisted city fan tormented by envy,YES jealous of Uniteds continued success whilst the hapless set up you support are going from bad to worse.Have you ever witnessed city winning anything worthwhile? I doubt it and probably accounts for the sheer bitterness,go and see a doctor because you are suffering from acute paranoiditis, as a last thought did you watch uniteds great victory over Everton and will you be tuning in to the FA CUP DRAW on Monday? somehow I doubt it but go to work and dwell on it he he he he
Gerry Brentford ? London? typical United fan not living in Manchester looking for therapy because they a failure in their own life and looking for something to cling on to - tell me now are your parents from Dublin too? Winning better to get someone else to do it for you and then if they dont you can blame them for all your own inadequacies (sorry tough word for a red - it means short comings) like United in the 80's.....
The expression 'intoxicting emergence of Youth' is interesting. Surely the only way in which one can become intoxicated is by sustained exposure thereto. However I accept that there are those with a greater susceptibility to even tiny doses of anything and so a 3 minute glimpse of a player on the 88th minute may well, to some, be genuinely intoxicating !! As a lifelong teetotaller perhaps I am unqualified to comment with any more authority. However I do concede that if faced with the prospect of a 90 minute ale-fest of academy talent I will be binging and puking with the rest of the 'intoxicated masses.
Do us all all a favour! We've just had a 'snarl fest' over the Keegan attitude to the young talent and now you do the journalistic equivalent of tossing a rolled sirloin into the Lions cage! Will Ireland get on the pitch this season? Dont be daft! The closest he will get is a few splinters on his butt and then only if Keegan has the biggest change of mind since Saul en route to Damascus!
Simon, I just would like to say that we are some supporters who think that Keegan is doing a good job here at City.
I think that a lad that think being included in the squad for Boro shouldn`t be tossed out in the deep end, he should not be given starts this season, but I hope Keegan includes him in the travelling squad to give him more experience and eventually a few run outs as a late sub before the end of the season so that he can keep his healthy development.
I am one of those boring realists who think that bringing a youth into PL football to early can damage both his personality and his abilities.
Best of luck to all fans, youngsters, players and of course to King Kev for the remainder of the season!
CTID!!
It's good to know that at least one person thinks that KK is doing a good job now, especially where the youth issue is concened! I dont seek to ridicule your view Greg, you make valid points. For instance, I agree that tossing youngsters into the cauldron before thay have enough maturity to cope with it can damage their confidence. Good past examples are Graham Gooch's test debut opening as a kid against Lillee and Thomson in their pomp. Tait for England the other week against Wales. Hansen a few years ago for Wales. Of course judgement has to be excercised about the relative maturity of these lads. Not everyplayer is a Fabregas, Ronaldo or Rooney (who looked as though he was shaving twice a day when I first saw him at age 16)! The outrage that has been expressed in recent days is not because anybody wants to see 4 or 5 youth players starting each Saturday, or cubs sent out for a mauling. It is the undoubted facts that in BWP, Onuoha, Flood and Jordan we have four players who have alrady bridged that initial gap and have demonstrated some maturity. Also, we have another two players at least in Croft and Ireland who need to be given a sniff of the coffee. We need to secure another 7 points, sure, and then at least one of the first four should be starting each game, another 1 or 2 should get 10/20 minutes at the end if the match condition allows and the last two I mentioned should have their be debuts to see how they cope. Believe me, I think that from what I have seen Croft will do rather more than cope!
Up until recently I have been very supportive of KK but I was never enthusiastic about his ability to change a losing formula. When he had creative mid-field quality he got away with this inability to change tactics but since AliB and Berko have gone and not been replaced we are one paced and unimaginative. Lose the first goal and lose the match! The quality of his transfer dealings over the last 18 months has been grim and now I add to the catalogue dismay at his youth policy. I truly believe that his time draws rapidly to a close. I have many warm memories of his early days and would like to have some warm ones of his latter days too. Sideling the young players is not the way to do that. If it's all about legacy Kevin, give us one!
While keegan continues to pick the likes of Mcmanaman, Reyna, Mills,Sibeirski & Macken ahead of the more talented and more eager Onuoha , Flood, BWP, Croft etc what chance has Ireland got ? Buckley's !!
I see that I wrote a little fast in the last message. My point was that Ireland enjoyed being part of the travelling squad for Boro and he seemed to be a reflected boy who just turned 18. I think it is wise to hurry slowly with such kids and give them their debuts when the foundation is solid enough for them to get out there and feel secure. I agree very much with Alphonso that Croft must get his chance in the team this season and that Ireland should be given som run outs. I hope however that Keegan stays for another season and gets a creative midfielder in. Tough I blame Keegan for not doing so earlier as that would have brought out the best in Anelka who never was proparly serviced at City. It is almost unforgivable along with the fact that our best chairman ever quit due to Keegans obsession with Fowler. That said I must say, since the past is hard to change, Keegan has my full support, espescially in youth matters!
Stephen Ireland should not be thrown in just yet, the interview clearly states that he is a shy introverted young man who will need time to adjust to the surroundings. Give him 2/3 more away trips to travel with the squad and get used to the environment, then put him on the bench for 2/3 games but don't play him. This should give him time to acclimatise, particularly with City fans showing their support for him when he warms up on the touchlines! He should be involved in some part in the penultimate game of the season, maybe 20 minutes if we are already safe and comfortable. Hopefully, he can then become a force from the bench next season and be a first teamer when KK goes.
The situation with Onuoha, Flood, BWP, Jordan and Croft should be handled very differently. Flood and BWP are willing to take people on and look confident whereas Onuoha and Jordan ooze maturity and composure, these guys should be involved every week at the moment, with one strating each game. Croft has already amassed 40plus England caps at junior level and has captained them on many occasions, he also was prepared to get physical in League 1 and is technically much better than Macca, Sibierski & Sinclair. He should play FROM THE START in central midfield against Norwich alongside Bozzer and be given license to roam forward and pass it about. These players are simply too good to be nurtured as Ireland must be and should be heavily involved in the upcoming matches.
I dont think Ireland will get a chance under keegan, he's always raving about players such as Jordan, BWP, Onuaha, and now Ireland yet he never has the bottle to throw them in and give them playing time, how can BWP show anything in the 5-10mins he gets in the odd game? How must Nedum feel when he plays great away at Arsenal and Pompey only to be replaced as soon as the happless Mills is available again? Ste Jordan only got a run of games due to Thatchers injury but again was straight out when he was fit? Then there is Croft who for some reason just can not even get into the squad, besides the fact he has over 40 international caps and whilst on loan at Oldham was player of the month two months running? These lads need more than a couple of mins here and there they need time and starts!!! I cant see that happening under KK as he sticks with his ageing under-achievers???
I suppose it was too much to hope for that we could have just got the opinions of fans who have seen the lad play and not of those just wanting to have yet another pop at Keegan. Same old moans time after time. Even the lad stating that Macmanaman has been a great help and influence on him didn't stop you lot from dragging up the usual complaints about him too.
Well, I have seen him play Bill, several times. He has alot of confidence on the field and I found it difficult to relate that interview with the player's performances. He looks good, is a sweet passer of the ball but needs to grow stronger I suspect for the Premiership. he is rather like Willo in that respect when he first played against TNS backalong. As for the pops at Keegan. Why are you complaining about that. Perhaps it should occur to you that all of us cannot be wrong can we? Also, tens of thouisnads have seen these young players in the limited opportunities they have had and like what we see. I am an avid follower of the reserve and youth games and often one of them can look the part but simply fail to step up a level. I really dont know about Ireland. I think he can do it but we wont know until he gets a chance. personally I wouldn't play him for anything more than a token run out this season but I would play Onuoha, Jordan and Flood, all of who have convinced me and also Bradley Wright-Phillips who hasn't yet.
Bill, I have friends who oversee a bunch of youth teams out here for an NGO. Among them are two ex-pro's. No, they didn't play for the likes of Madrid or Liverpool but they have helped four of these kids make the step up to 2nd and 3rd division clubs in Rio State and one of them (at 17) holds a regular place with his side Madureira and will start against Vasco on Thursday. My point is that Macca has made little (or no) input on the pitch since joining us he should be (at least) trying to justify his ridiculously high wages at City. I remember he helped Croft - going to see him at Oldham. It's admirable, but given his earnings I expect him to do SOMETHING for us, don't you? And until Keegan starts using these kids (even if it means they're drip fed into the 1st team) and starts dropping the dross, he will continue to get hammered on here - and rightly so.
CBG , you still Rock .
Tell it like it is .There is no greater weapon than the Truth.
PS where the Hell have you been? we miss you .
i have watched stephen through his career and believe he is the nearest thing to roy keane i have seen and in my opinion the more respsonsibility he is given the better he plays.