what the papers say

Ireland hailed as City's best by boss

The Daily Express tells us...

'IRELAND IS EMERALD IN CITY TEAM'

Robinho is being outshone by Stephen Ireland as player of the season at Manchester City, according to Mark Hughes.

Manager Hughes believes Ireland is setting an example to other home-grown players about why they should take the arrival of world-class talents such as Robinho as a challenge rather than bad news.

With Sunderland boss Roy Keane having shown strong interest in the summer, Ireland’s future was perceived to be in doubt as Manchester City manager Hughes rebuilt his side with backing from the club’s fabulously wealthy owners from Abu Dhabi.

But since City persuaded midfielder Ireland that he was part of their plans, he has responded with a string of impressive performances that have left Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni regretting Ireland’s decision to call time on his international career.

Brazilian Robinho might have grabbed the limelight thanks to the best strike-rate in the league – he has averaged a goal every 88 minutes he has been on the pitch since his British-record £32.5million move from Real Madrid – and has been set a 30-goal target for the season.

But Hughes reckons Ireland has shown the greater consistency and is urging other Academy graduates, such as Daniel Sturridge and Ched Evans, not to be discouraged by the club’s financial muscle.

Portsmouth’s Lassana Diarra is likely to be a target, but Hughes said: “Prospects of good players coming to City should stimulate the ones already here.

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

“If he had thought that would be 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.”

But City’s gain is Dublin’s loss because 22-year-old Ireland remains unwilling to end his year-long international exile.

Hughes, meanwhile, told tonight’s opponents, Middlesbrough, that City are “a different team and a different club” to the rudderless outfit who crashed to a humiliating 8-1 defeat at the Riverside in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s final game back in May.

Richard Dunne – sent off that day – and Evans could shrug off knocks and be fit but Pablo Zabaleta is suspended while Jo has tonsillitis.

The Daily Mail reveals some big news...

'Ronaldo gives up bid to join Manchester City and declares: it's Flamengo or retirement'

Brazil striker Ronaldo has finally given up hope of signing for Manchester City and has threatened to retire if he cannot get back to his best.

Ronaldo is training with Flamengo as he tries to recover from a serious knee injury and the 32-year-old says he wants to stay at the Rio de Janeiro club, which he supports.

Manchester City held talks with the Brazil international in August but are pursuing other targets following their takeover by Abu Dhabi-based billionaires, despite Ronaldo continuing to play up links with the Barclays Premier League club.

He told Brazilian TV show Bem, Amigos: 'There has been interest from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, but Flamengo would be a dream - top of the pile.'

Ronaldo has not played competitvely since rupturing ligament in his left knee while playing for AC Milan in February.

And finally, the Sun says...

'Boro's blast at foreign legion'

MIDDLESBROUGH chief executive Keith Lamb fears foreign owners like Manchester City’s will end up destroying English football.

City, fuelled by Abu Dhabi billions, come to the Riverside tonight boasting the likes of Brazilian ace Robinho while Boro have a crop of homegrown stars.

The Teessiders are one of the few Premier League clubs owned by a local — Boro-mad Steve Gibson.

Lamb said: “Middlesbrough Football Club is part of the community. I can never envisage a time when the club is owned by somebody whose roots are outside the area.”

Lamb, attending a Football Foundation launch of new facilities at Boro’s community base in Eston, added: “Clubs should belong to the towns and cities they represent.

“I am fearful of the long-term future of football if we continue to go down the foreign ownership lines. What happens when those tractor loads of money turn round and go back again? What are you then left with?”

Julio Arca is fit again for Boro after shaking off an ankle injury.