Former Aston Villa academy boss Bryan Jones has recalled urging Jack Grealish to commit to England.
Jones ran Aston Villa's academy in three spells at the club dating back to the 1970s until retiring in 2014.
He recalled to the Mirror: “I remember we had countless meetings with him and his father.
“They were deliberating over whether to continue playing for the Republic of Ireland because he played for their U17s-U21s.
“It kept coming to crunch time and they would ask what do you think we should do?
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“Even though I was close to the former Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who was Ireland boss, he had left then and I didn't feel guilty recommending England.
“Fortunately he came to that decision.
“We wondered a couple of years ago whether it was going to turn out the right way but fortunately it has.
“It gives me great pleasure to see him now.
“It is pride for him and his family who are delightful and have always been very supportive."
