Martin O’Neill said that he had "no idea" that Harry Arter could decide to declare for England amid speculation that the Bournemouth midfielder could yet decide his international future lies with England.
The Ireland manager was asked about the rumours circulating around social media that the Bournemouth midfielder, who could still technically decide to declare for England, despite have played for Ireland.
Arter has been capped three times for Ireland at senior level but has never played in a competitive international game for the Boys in Green, leading to speculation that he could make the switch to the country of his birth.
A groin injury ruled Arter out of the Ireland squad for tonight's 1-0 victory over Georgia at the Aviva Stadium and assistant manager Roy Keane said the the scan on the injury look positive, but a tightness remained.
O'Neill did not seem to be overly concerned by the rumours.
"I had no idea. I didn’t know that," said O’Neill, when asked the question at the post match press conference.
Arter has already played for Ireland, ironically making his debut against England, however, the midfielder is within his rights to change his mind as he has never played a competitive game for Ireland.
"Well he hasn’t played a competitive game for us, so the choice is entirely up to the player,” O’Neill added.
