LES FERDINAND spoke for football fans with his classy tribute to Paul McGrath on Sky Sports.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United striker came across McGrath on a number of occasions during their respective playing careers.
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And on Sky Sports, the 57-year-old paid a glowing tribute to the former Republic of Ireland defender, whom he praised for ‘having everything’.
He said: “I worked with Ledley King at Tottenham who couldn’t train during the week but would play in the games and be the best player.
“That was Paul McGrath.
“I used to look at him in games and think, ‘I am playing against this centre-half today. He’s good in the air so I am going to run in behind.’
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“Then you would look at Paul McGrath, and he could run in behind. And he is good in the air. And he was strong.
“He had absolutely everything. He was a PFA winner and you look over the history of the PFA.
“Only six defenders have ever won it. He won the one in the inaugural Premier League season and that goes to show what a player he was.
“I thought I was doing things wrong in my career because I trained every day.
“Maybe I should have trained once a week like he did. I might have scored more goals.
“What he has done and where he has been in his career is absolutely phenomenal.”
Many fans were in full agreement with Ferdinand’s assessment.
Aston Villa fan Steve said: “For me, (don’t shoot me down as its my opinion) & granted got to see Platt, Grealish, etc…
“Lord Paul McGrath probably the best player I’ve seen at VP. Effortless, could play in slippers, absolute colossal at the back. His reading of game, Incredible”
Brogan posted: “Les Ferdinand – articulate, humane, knowledgeable, natural, sincere, disgustingly handsome and stylish – and he could play a bit.
“As for taking about McGrath? McGrath is McGrath! ‘Nuff said!”
Shane added: “Lovely stuff from Ferdinand here. McGrath one of the few players who i think would have been even better in this era of football.”
Another said: “Well said. Doesn’t get talked about enough nowadays. There’s a whole generation who think defenders like Virgil are the best. Go watch some Paul McGrath videos“
Ian commented: “McGrath’s at his best was world class. Very rarely gets a mention when people talk about the best ones but he’s right up there.”
OPENING UP
Ferdinand was speaking in reaction to an interview Sky Sports conducted with the former Manchester United and Aston Villa defender.
He played under Alex Ferguson for three years at Old Trafford, from 1986 to 1989.
Ferguson would eventually sell the defender to Premier League rivals Aston Villa, where McGrath would go on to win the PFA Player of the Year award in 1992.
Fomer Red Devils boss cashed-in on the Dubliner after years of off-field issues with alcohol strained their relationship beyond repair.
There was a well-know drinking culture at Man Utd in the late 80s that Fergie wanted to stamp out of the club.
And now in an interview with Sky Sports, the former Villa and Utd man admitted that he ‘hated’ Ferguson while playing at Old Trafford.
But McGrath did go on to say that his alcoholism was the problem before saying the two-time winning Champions League manager was brilliant to him after his playing career ended.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash between his two former sides, McGrath said: “Obviously Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t like the way we were living our lives and stuff.
“I think it’s great now. To be honest, he brought me back to work there after I’d quit football, and stuff like that.
“I’d didn’t particularly like Sir Alex to be honest but he was man enough to bring me back then, when I finished my career and stuff like that.
“He was brilliant to me, and he’d always stop and say hello to me, and shake my hand.
“He was a winner, and he didn’t want someone like me dragging the team back, and even Norman [Whiteside] – I have to say, we did over do it, and I think we deserved the exits we got.”
