Players Views

Clinton Morrison

Ireland

Have you had any bad experiences of racism as a player?
Not really, only the one experience that I was talking about, where a fan was giving me racist abuse, but you've just got to get on with it, if they are going to be ignorant, you've just got to get on with it. I'm happy with what I do, and if they want to insult me, I'm not bothered, I just ignore them.

What advice would you give to any young person who is racially abused?
I'd say ignore them, keep going. If it was a young kid playing in a team, tell the manager or tell someone, so they can sort it out and put a stop to it. As a young kid, don't bottle it up, if you're getting it at school you tell your teacher, tell your mum. As an adult you've got to learn to get on with it, it's part and parcel of football really.

Who were your role models when you were growing up?
My role model was Ian Wright. I speak to him a lot because he does coaching at our club. He says he's experienced a bit of racism, he just says you've got to handle it, you're bigger than that. It could be a case of people who are jealous, you've just got to get on with it really.

How did it feel making your international debut?
It was good really, I thoroughly enjoyed making my debut, I really enjoyed it. When I go over there I really enjoy playing with such quality players, it feels good.

What would it mean to be playing in the world cup this summer?
It would be good, I've just got to keep on going now, I think we've got one more warm up game which is next Wednesday, after that he knows basically what squad he wants. I've just got to keep on playing my football and hopefully I'll be in the 23 that's been selected. If I could go to the world cup it would be a great achievement.