Hibs keeper Graham Stack says Thierry Henry robbed Ireland of World Cup spot

Published on Saturday 21 November 2009 10:19

HIBS goalkeeper Graham Stack today claimed French star Thierry Henry's underhand actions had robbed him and the Republic of Ireland of their World Cup dream.

The much-travelled Easter Road star qualifies to play for Ireland through his mother Christine, who hails from Galway, and has a number of Under-21 caps to his name.

But, while a full international appearance has so far eluded the 28-year-old, Stack revealed how team-mates Liam Miller and Anthony Stokes, part of Irish boss Giovanni Trapattoni's squad for the play-off showdown with France had told him they were convinced he could force his way into the Italian's thoughts.

Stack could only watch in horror as Swedish referee Martin Hansson failed to spot Henry use a hand before supplying the pass for William Gallas to cancel out Robbie Keane's earlier strike and fire France, leading 1-0 from the first leg in Dublin, into the finals.

He said: "Henry has come out, been honest and said he did handle the ball. He also said it was not intentional but from where I was sitting on my sofa it was clear as day he handled the ball twice, once to stop it going out of play and again to put it into his path."

Until Henry's intervention Stack was convinced a penalty shoot-out was inevitable – and was equally certain Ireland would win it although he conceded that, if Trapattoni's side had taken their chances, the incident would have proved inconsequential.

He said: "I thought we should have been 2-0 up but once they scored I knew it would be an uphill struggle. I thought Ireland were the better side over the two legs and deserved to go through.

"Had it gone to penalties I think the way the night had gone it would have been in favour of us going through."

While the row rages on over the unsavoury incident, Stack was left to reflect on what might have been on a personal level, admitting he'd probably dropped off Ireland's radar given the nomadic nature of his football career.

He said: "Liam and Stokesy have been away with Ireland and they've told me there's no reason why I cannot be part of it. It has always been an aspiration of mine to represent my country.

"I've done it at Under-21 level and there was one senior call-up a long time ago against Brazil when I thought 'wow, I've nearly cracked it'.

"Then there was the problem of not playing games, not having enough minutes of football, not putting myself in the shop window and then, slowly but surely, you get forgotten about."

Stack, though, hopes being part of a successful Hibs team can see him realise his dream. He said: "I'm playing regularly in a team which is doing well, I'm doing okay so there's no reason why I could not give it a shot and perhaps get myself involved."

While Manchester City's Shay Given is Trapattoni's No.1 with Joe Murphy of Scunthorpe United on the bench in Paris, Stack admitted he would love to come into contention.

He said: "At the moment, I am just happy to back playing regularly, enjoying my football again. Money is not a motivation for me, I have always said that if you get success you get money and everything that comes with it.

"Maybe in a year's time international football may be round the corner if I keep doing well. The European Championship qualifiers are coming up, there will be friendlies ahead of that and perhaps the manager might look to rearrange the squad a bit.

"I don't know what the thinking is but it is something I want to be part of."