Despite the constant media hype and attention, Ronnie Whelan was remaining downbeat about his chances of getting selected for the national team after a summer of major turbulence on and off the pitch. His father, Ronnie Senior had passed away earlier that year in July and then two months into his testimonial season at Liverpool, manager Graeme Souness dropped Whelan and announced that he was available for a transfer.
He had been made to train and play in the reserves with only a weekly rolling over contract given to him that meant any injury could potentially see him out of the contract. But Whelan was not worried about it and said that he was just trying to keep himself in the best shape possible.
Ronnie Whelan said “I’ve only been out for two games from the first team, its not as if I’ve been out for a few months. The reserve games are a bit slower but I’m still training with the first team, my fitness is fine.”