John Egan has expressed disappointment at how some people have ‘jumped down Callum Robinson’s throat’.
And the Ireland defender - likely to be the stand-in captain against Azerbaijan tomorrow with Seamus Coleman out injured - feels it is time to lay off the striker.
West Brom attacker Robinson caused a storm this week when he revealed he has refused the Covid vaccine despite twice testing positive for the virus.
But in Baku today, Sheffield United ace Egan said: “Cal was asked a question, he gave an answer.
“He didn't come out and say he was against the vaccination or anything, so I was quite disappointed to see how many people jumped down his throat.
“Everybody can choose whether to get the vaccination or not. It's a personal choice. As a team-mate as a friend, I back my team-mates, I back my friends.
“It doesn't mean that I believe the same way, I doesn't mean that everybody is going to believe the same way.
“But I don't think Cal came out and said he was against the vaccine, he simply just answered a question and said he hasn't had it yet.”
Robinson is set to face Azerbaijan tomorrow and Egan added: “Cal is a team-mate of mine, he's a friend of mine and hopefully now he can kick on with Ireland and do well.
“I would prefer to speak about football. We have a football game tomorrow.
“To be honest, vaccination is a really touchy subject, we’ve talked about it now and that should be enough.”
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