Ireland hailed by Hughes

City boss labels midfielder standout performer

Last updated: 29th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ireland hailed by Hughes

Ireland: City's top man

He has really grasped the opportunity he has been given and has been our best player from the start of the season.

Hughes on Ireland
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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes Stephen Ireland has been the team's standout player so far this season.

Many thought the arrival of Robinho from Real Madrid could hinder the 22-year-old midfielder's first-team prospects at City.

However, Hughes believes that Ireland has not only raised his game to stay in the starting XI, but taken his performances onto a new level following the Brazil international's arrival.

Stimulate

"Prospects of good players coming to City should stimulate the ones already here," said Hughes.

"The prime example is Stephen Ireland. People were assuming that if new players were arriving, he would make way. But I never thought in those terms and certainly Stephen never did.

"If he had thought that would the case maybe his performances would have been at a lower level. As it is, he has really grasped the opportunity he has been given and has been our best player from the start of the season.

"If you are the sort of player who is discouraged by a challenge then maybe you shouldn't be here in the first place."