Clinton Morrison has told Jack Grealish he missed out on playing for the "best fans you could ever play for" when he chose to declare for England, and deprived himself of the chance to shine at the Euros.
The 20-year-old Aston Villa midfielder represented the Republic of Ireland from under-15 to under-21 level, but decided last September to declare for the country of his birth.
Morrison made the reverse decision when he chose Ireland over England, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago back in 2001 - his grandmother was born in Garristown, Co Dublin - and said it's a call he'll never regret.
"The welcome the people give me when I come here to do stuff in Ireland is unbelievable," the former Crystal Palace striker told RTÉ 2fm's Game On.
"For a person who was born in England, I'm 100% Irish. I could have played for England U21s. I chose Ireland because Mick (McCarthy) sold it to me.
"The fans always took to me. They're probably the best fans I've ever played in front of."
"I think Jack Grealish has made the wrong decision. He could have been at the Euros. He should come and play here for Ireland. They have the best fans you could ever play for, a good management team and they've got good players.
"When I first declared to play for Ireland the fans always took to me. They're probably the best fans I've ever played in front of. They'll always get behind their players.
"Even when you're not having such a good time they'll never turn on the team. They're brilliant."
Morrison was hugely impressed by Ireland's opening 1-1 draw with Sweden in Paris on Monday.
Martin O'Neill's men were denied victory by a Ciaran Clark own goal, but the 37-year-old showered praise on the overall performance, singling out Wes Hoolahan, Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady for special praise.
“I thought the lads were superb," he said. "Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane got it spot on, we pressed ever so well.
“You have to give special credit to the two centre-backs Ciaran Clark and John O’Shea. I thought they were superb. (For the og) Clark has to head it. If he doesn’t head it Larsson is behind him and he taps it in.
"Wes Hoolahan gives us that spark. Jeff Hendrick’s energy and the way he got into great positions was superb and Robbie Brady at left-back was awesome. Them three were the standout performers for me.
"Brady has got so much energy. In the 65th minute, Ireland were under pressure, he took the ball all the way up the field. He used his pace, then slowed it down and played a sensible pass into midfield.
"He's a clever footballer, he;s got the world at his feet. He's a big talent and I'm just glad he plays for Ireland."
Aiden McGeady made a cameo from the bench in the closing stages at Stade de France with Roy Keane's recent criticism still ringing in his ears.
Morrison urged his former team-mate to take Keane's tongue-lashing on the chin, and prove to people that he still has what it takes to win games for his country.
"Roy is Roy. He will say whatever he wants to say and sometimes you just to listen because of what he's done in the game," Morrison added.
"It might not always be right... but if Aiden's not doing it, Roy is the assistant manager, he can say what he wants. Aiden just has to brush that off, go on to the pitch and prove what he can do.
"I just hope he gets a few chances in this championship to cause problems because on his day he's a match winner."
