IAN HARTE claimed League of Ireland clubs are “killing young lads’ chances” of moving to the Premier League.
The former Republic of Ireland defender – who has become a football agent since retiring – claimed youngster were being “priced out” of moves to England.
Harte, 47, cited the example of Justin Ferizaj, who signed for Frosinone – who were then in Serie A – in 2023.
The midfielder had been with Shamrock Rovers since he was 14 and was linked with the likes of Preston North End and Sampdoria before joining the Lazio-based club.
Speaking with Betway Insider, Harte said: “Listen, Irish [domestic] football is good.
“It is good, it obviously gives you a platform but the best league in the world is the Premier League.
“Young lads want that opportunity to push themselves.
“If it does work out then brilliant, if it doesn’t then they can always come back.
“From what I’ve heard it’s difficult for these young lads.
“There was a young lad who was at Rovers – Justin Ferizaj – there were loads of big Premier League teams interested in him but the price tag that was put over his head by Shamrock Rovers priced a lot of teams out of the market.
“Ultimately it’s about young players and giving them opportunities to make a career in the game, but if you’re outpricing them with a move to England, certain big clubs, I think it’s wrong of Irish football clubs to be doing that as well because you’re killing these young lads’ chances.”
Harte’s comments come amidst an ongoing debate concerning the perception of the League of Ireland.
It is a debate that was intensified by Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley, who hit out at Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson.
Bradley said: “We have got an international manager telling my players to leave to have a chance to play for Ireland.
“That’s incredibly disrespectful to me, the league and everyone who works in this league.
“They will give you soundbites but I think that really shows what they feel about the league.
“We are trying to grow a league, entice players to stay here long, and improve in every aspect.
“And that comes out of the Ireland manager’s mouth. It is incredible. Put yourself in our position, you are trying to recruit players and sign players and that is the message coming from the head of Irish football.
“Imagine you are an agent sitting with your player — ‘You can stay here but if you go there you have a chance of getting into the international squad’. That’s not right.”
‘MUST MOVE’
His outburst was in response to comments from Hallgrimsson back in December amidst Rovers’ historic run in the Europa Conference League.
Hallgrimsson said: “Good players, impressive performance, two or three really good performances. I’m not going to count the names. It would put pressure on the players or me.
“But it is obviously good if they are playing well all season.
“It would be easier to pick them if they are playing regularly before the national team comes together.
“I’m pretty sure a lot of teams in Europe are watching them and asking ‘Who are these guys, going this far, doing this good in the tournament?’
“So probably there is a lot of scouting on those players at the moment so hopefully they will get career change from this success.”
Harte is in the camp of those who believe the best and brightest at home need to go abroad if they are to stake a claim for the national team.
The former Leeds United full-back added: “To be honest, the Irish league is the Irish league. It’s not the Premier League.
“If you’re going to benefit yourself and, not only that, your international football team, you have to go, you have to move, 100%.
“It’s the only way players are going to develop and be better.
“So yeah I definitely think for them to benefit then you either need to go to England or they need to go to Europe.
“The Irish league, no matter how good it is – it has a certain level that it can only reach.
“Whereas, when you’re moving abroad, it opens so many more doors.”
