There was a genuine air of anticipation surrounding this afternoon's squad announcement for the upcoming Ireland internationals against England and Scotland.
The assembled press shuffled silently about the corridors of the plush south Dublin SSE Airtricity top floor conference space, with all eyes on the FAI media team and the soon to be published squad selection.
The noon start time came and went, which added to the drama, but fifty minutes later the two words that were on most people’s lips were the two that failed to show up on the printed press release.
At first glance “Aston Villa” jumped out but it was too far up the sheet and was, of course, in the column adjacent to keeper Shay Given.
Further scrutiny failed to reveal the Under-21 player of the year and so it was over to the manager to explain why Jack Grealish’s name had not been listed amongst a 33-man provisional squad for next month’s matches.
As expected, it was the first port of call as O’Neill was asked to explain the situation, considering some daily newspapers were predicting, just hours earlier, that Grealish would be included.
The Ireland boss spoke in hushed tones as he explained the chain of events ahead of the squad announcement.
“I spoke to both Jack and his father and I think that Jack just didn’t want to make his mind up at this stage,” said O’Neill. “He wanted to complete the season at Aston Villa as they have some important games coming up and he wants to make his decision at some time in the future.
“I suppose I am (disappointed),” admitted O’Neill. “He has been doing very well recently and it would have been nice, but that’s Jack’s decision.”
And the disappointment was quite clearly etched on the Ireland manager’s face as he appears to have made a great effort with Team Grealish to bring Aston Villa’s recent revelation into the senior set-up.
“I spoke to the father and said I would like to have brought him in (for the upcoming games) but you don’t want to force someone who might not want to make that decision just yet.
“Even if he did come in I wouldn’t have wanted to put a great deal of pressure on him. I wouldn’t have minded him training with us for the week leading up to the England game and being a part of that match without worrying about having to make a decision for the Scotland match.”
It was not too long ago that the Ireland boss stated that the Scotland match would be too much of a step up for the Villa youngster but O’Neill was happy to admit that he had had a change of heart in recent weeks as he has watched the young midfield blossom into a player that looks immediately at home in the Premier League.
“Of course, the last four or five weeks have made a big difference to Jack’s career and obviously to my thinking,” said O’Neill.
“He has played a lot of games since then, as he had not been a regular member of the team, but under Tim Sherwood he has started a number of games and he has made a very good impression.
“Obviously, as these games go along he will get fitter by starting matches and he seems to be lasting longer in the games too and doing a lot of good work.
“I am not sure even Jack would have realised that he would play as many games as he has and in quick succession so he is getting a really good feel of Premier League football and making an impression too. So now it is a different issue.”
Today’s events may now be seen as a come-and-get-me plea from Grealish to the England manager Roy Hodgson but O’Neill tried to stay out of that debate, before offering a little nugget into his thinking of the situation.
“I don’t want to sound like England are miles better than us but I think it would be difficult for him to get into the England squad at this moment.”
So the question was asked and has been answered, albeit with the door still firmly open for the young midfielder to stay true to his word and return to the green jersey in September.
And what about the manager? Is there a chance in his mind that the midfielder might return?
“I really don’t know at this stage,” said O’Neill when asked what his gut feeling was on the matter. “But I am sure that there is still a good possibility.”
The Ireland squad will be finalised on 1 June when the 33-man squad will be reduced ahead of assembly.
Aston Villa’s Premier League status will be well determined at that stage, so is there a chance that Grealish may make a last-minute move to join the Ireland squad with top-flight football assured for next season?
“I think Jack was pretty firm with what he wants to do and that’s fine, “ said O’Neill, who was now looking to draw a line under the Grealish debate and look ahead to what is a must-win clash with Scotland.
