JOHN ALDRIDGE POPPED along to The Fantasy Football Club last night and sketched out his best XI of players he’s played alongside.
It’s a pretty formidable group with his former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland team-mates making up the entire selection.
Five ex-Irish players made the cut and here’s what Aldo had to say about them:
Paul McGrath:
“He is the hardest defender I have ever played against. A true gentleman. When we beat Italy 1-0 in the giant stadium in the 1994 World Cup, if any young lad is aspiring to be a centre-half, get the DVD of that game and watch Paul McGrath. It was the best performance I have ever seen, he had [Roberto] Baggio in his pocket for 90 minutes. He was absolutely awesome.”
Mark Lawrenson:
“He was brilliant. One of the best tacklers and the best reader of a game I’ve ever seen. He had long legs but if you needed someone to get a little toe on the end of the ball to get it away, Lawro’s your man. He was a fabulous player, very elegant.”
Ray Houghton:
“Ray was a very intelligent footballer, he really was. He was just so brainy. Jack [Charlton, the former Republic of Ireland manager] didn’t know his dad came from Donegal. When Jack picked me, I told him about Ray Houghton and he said “bring him along, he can have a game as well”.”
Liam Brady:
“He was fabulous. One of the best left foots you are likely to ever see in world football.”
Roy Keane:
“He is a man mountain. People questioned his temperament but you are talking about a winner and a born leader. It’s in his blood. Very passionate about the game.”
Aldo’s dream team in full:
Bruce Grobbelaar, Steve Nicol, Paul McGrath, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Ray Houghton, Roy Keane, Liam Brady, John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, Ian Rush.
Total mismatch from start to finish. Hope he got a good pay day for taking a beating.
Two weeks to drop a full weight division is a crazy ask. But I guess when opportunity knocks you gotta answer so fair play to him for giving it his best.
What amazing persons you are paul…hold your head high you were brilliant and if thats what you do at short notice the ufc better watch out….far play mate you did Dublin proud..
I wonder what would’ve happened if he refused to take it. Too short notice should be outlawed.