Everton midfielder James McCarthy has hit back at John Giles after the Republic of Ireland legend criticised McCarthy's performances for the national side.
Giles has claimed that McCarthy is not commanding enough on the football pitch, an accusation that the 23-year-old has become used to.
"I don't think I'm shy, to be honest," McCarthy is quoted as saying by the Irish Mirror. There's a lot of people have said that in the past about being shy and quiet. Once you get labelled with something it's with you for a bit. I don't know when it's going to go away.
"It's part and parcel of the game, you need to talk. And I talk enough. What else am I going to say? I'm not shy. I have 20-odd caps and I want to impose myself more on the pitch for Ireland.
"I've done well enough for my club and I want to take that into the internationals. But at times, international and club football are different."
The Republic of Ireland face Georgia in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier at the weekend, and assistant manager Roy Keane is relishing the hostile atmosphere.
Phil Archbold
