Ireland focused on City job

Stephen Ireland has insisted his off-field problems have not proved a distraction for him at Manchester City this season.

Ireland learned he will face no Football Association sanction, other than a minor slap on the wrist, for the bizarre 'Superman' goal celebration that accompanied his match winner against Sunderland on Monday.

The 21-year-old will no doubt be relieved Soho Square chiefs took a lenient view of his ill-advised move, given he has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons on enough occasions already this season.

Ireland infamously lied about the death of both his grandmothers to excuse himself from international duty earlier this season when the real reason, that his partner had suffered a miscarriage, was an equally valid cause for compassionate leave.

Since then, the Cork-born player has called a temporary halt to his Republic of Ireland career, with some well-placed sources claiming the present hiatus, extended by caretaker boss Don Givens yesterday, could become permanent amid reports in-house joking within the Irish camp over his 'new' hairstyle have got out of hand.

Nevertheless, City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson was delighted with Ireland's contribution to the Sunderland success.

With Michael Johnson out for three weeks after being sent for abdominal surgery, Ireland's presence will be required as City look to maintain their impressive start to the campaign.

And the youngster is happy to deliver.

'It has not been tough concentrating on football,' Ireland told City's official website.

'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.'

In the meantime, Ireland is determined to do his bit. And having netted for the first time this season against Roy Keane's men, he is now anxious to start catching Elano and Martin Petrov, who have eight between them.

'Hopefully that will kick-start my season in terms of goalscoring because it is vital that everyone contributes,' he said.

'In the system we are playing, with one up front, it is hard work for the striker.

'Michael Johnson had been giving me some stick about not scoring, so I was delighted to shut him up. Now I have got off the mark, the aim is to catch Elano and Martin Petrov.'