Martin O'Neill vehemently denies claims that he pursued Aston Villa star Jack Grealish to play for the Republic of Ireland.

The Grealish saga was finally brought to an end recently after the attacking midfielder declared himself available for the England national team.

As Grealish was pondering his international future, there were accusations labeled at Ireland boss O'Neill that he went out of his way in order to convince the 19-year old to play for his side but the former Villa and Leicester City boss has now gone on to deny such claims.

O'Neill said: "I never chased Jack Grealish at all. I never prostituted myself in any way, shape or form trying to get Jack Grealish.

"Every single time I've come here, it was the first question I was asked so I didn't do that at all (chase Grealish). I think Jack Grealish and his father would readily admit that. In fact, actually I was accused of the other thing, of not chasing it up so I didn't do that," he said.

"Jack Grealish had a decision to make. Jack Grealish was born in England. His father was born in England and therefore he made a decision to play in England so that's it.

"It's absolutely and utterly his and his father's decision to do that so it's fine, because I left it in their hands entirely to do that. Naturally I would love if every single one of these players, a bit like Celtic where they were born 30 miles from Glasgow, it would be nice to know that everyone was born and bred here but that may not necessarily be the case.

"But that doesn't prevent them from wanting to and being eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland so, in the long term who is to say? Jack has really good talent, a really fine player and of course, a disappointment to lose out on that there but hopefully it's not the end of the world."