Who is Ireland’s next tier one player?

[Paddy Garcia]

I think that is fair Bungle. Also Houghton was instrumental in almost everything good Ireland did for many years, and was the heartbeat of a world class Liverpool team. So I would add him to that category.

We were very lucky with the talent we had in that era. McGrath, Irwin, Keane, Houghton etc. I doubt we will ever see such talent available all at once again.

[irishultra]

Paddy Garcia I honestly think we will see that again.

I never actually seen Houghton play but I can't imagine McGeady not being better than him.

[Bungle]

Paddy Garcia I honestly think we will see that again.

I never actually seen Houghton play but I can't imagine McGeady not being better than him.

right at this point in time, it would be foolhardy to compare McGeady to Houghton. As Paddy Garcia elludes, Houghton was one of the best players in a great Liverpool team. By my definition, he was a world class player.

McGeady I also believe could become world class and probably has more natural talent than Houghton had. he is a very young player who has done well the few times he has played against quality opposition. However, saying that McGeady is better than Houghton at this stage in his career is like saying that Fabregas is a better player than Platini ever was. it's like putting the horse before the cart.

[Manc Irish Wolf]

Great debate and, as Supreme Feet says, much of the argument is based upon when the young players develop. If you look at the fact that Houghton was plying his trade in division 2 with Fulham at the same stage of his career that McGeady is cleaning up the plaudits in Scotland, there is justification for saying that McGeady will be better than Houghton. However, Houghton was a late developer and bar the fact that he scored 2 of the most important goals in our history may not be held in such light.

Garvan and McCarthy look like potential candidates, however this may be due to their size at this stage in their career - that said, from what I have seen of both players their technique is good however this could be overshadowing other players who are not as developed at this stage. Apart from that have heard that Clifford and Brady are quality.

One player that I would like to throw into the mix is Stephen Gleeson at Wolves - it may be slight bias - however he is massively regarded at Wolves and was another one who was being scouted by Barcelona and AC Milan having been tipped as player of the tournament in an U17 youth team competition a few years back. Was due to breakthrough this season, however his season has been hampered by injury, although he has been made reserve team captain when he came back from injury and should come through well as his strength develops. Particularly love his ability to keep possession, interconnect play in the centre of midfield and find space - also has the ability to create something out of nothing with great goals (Stockport Semi Final & Germany U21).

Finally, Jon Dunleavy is meant to be a quality centrehalf at the Wolves - 17 and captaining the U19 youth team (which is one of the best in the league) - also meant to be the defensive fulcrum of the Ireland U17 side before injury.

Slight bias maybe, but having seen Robbie in his 2nd game down the Wolves you can live and hope.

[Paddy Garcia]

However, Houghton was a late developer and bar the fact that he scored 2 of the most important goals in our history may not be held in such light.


Well he would be if you watched his distribution, positioning, defence splitting passes (ask Rush) and are able to appreciate a great football brain. We would probably not have qualified for Italy without Houghton. A fantastic balance of work rate & skill, that frankly we have not seen the like of since (Keane apart).

It's not just his goal against England that I remember that game for, he had Barnes in his pocket & was a constant threat to the English defence.

[Morbo]

I never actually seen Houghton play but I can't imagine McGeady not being better than him.

Really? I for one would be delighted if McGeady turned out to be as good a player for Ireland as Houghton was, he possibly has the potential to be better but he also has the potential to be another player who promised much but never really developed the way people hoped, its still just potential and he has a long way to go to be as good as Houghton