Stephen Ireland has said he could not afford to travel to Ireland squads as he was only earning £95 a week at the time.
Ireland had a brief but memorable run for the national side as he scored four goals in six games.
But his stint with his country ended in bizarre circumstances as he claimed that his grandparent had passed away and left the squad only for his grandparent to be very much alive.
Ireland would never play for the national team again despite numerous efforts from different Ireland managers and he said that at the beginning he simply could not afford to travel for Ireland.
Speaking to Ladbrokes, Ireland said he was surprised about the warm reception he received when last in Dublin.
"I was back in Dublin recently and, to be honest, it was quite surprising for me because the response I had from supporters out there was really positive. I had some really good feedback from a lot of people out there; it's kind of irrelevant because I didn't play for them long enough to deserve any sort of recognition from them, so I certainly don't expect anything.
"I've got really fond memories and had some great times but, I think, me playing for Ireland probably happened too early in my career. I got into the first-team when I was around 18, and I really wanted it, I'm not disputing that. And I think I earned it, too, because I gave it everything. "
And Ireland said that due to his low wages, the cost was too much for him.
He said: "I didn't realise how much time it would take up, and everything that came with playing for the national side. It just happened at the wrong time for me; my life was chaotic, I was single, with two kids, playing for Man City's first-team, I was on £95 a week, I couldn't even afford to go away.
"The stress, and how hard it was to deal with, it was virtually impossible for me to go away. I must've had 10 call-ups and was able to make one. I couldn't make it; I literally couldn't make it.
"How is that even possible? As a young kid, playing in the Premier League, how was I not able to make it? My life was just absolutely... it was a shambles, to be honest with you.
"It was so chaotic, and unfortunately I couldn't commit to an international career, as much as I would have loved to. I envied the lads who could go, because I couldn't.
"Looking back now I get frustrated, because I'm thinking 'why didn't you ask Man City for support?' Why didn't I do this? Why didn't I do that? But they were different times; it was just a completely different era.
"It's just a shame, because I had so much to offer; I could have gave the team so much. But at the end of the day, that was my bed and I had to lie in it. If my debut would've came maybe two or three years later, when everything in my life was where it needed to be, then maybe things would have been different. It was just too difficult a time for me to put 100% of my heart into it. "
READ NEXT:
- Jockey Kevin Manning announces retirement after 40 years in the saddle
Stephen McPhail opens up on potential for further interest in 'colossal' Stephen Bradley
Stephen Bradley hails departing Andy Lyons, gives update on Alan Mannus
Limerick star Peter Casey raring to go with Na Piarsaigh after lengthy lay-off
Late Dillon Quirke a driving factor for Kilruane MacDonaghs, says Jerome Cahill
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
