Back with the boys in green

With the new season about to get into full swing, most people who love football are busy looking forward. But just for a moment I’m looking back – to the World Cup in Italy in 1990, to be exact.

Guinness sponsored an Italia 90 reunion in Dublin and Rome last week and I have to say that it was absolutely brilliant. First of all there was a big night in a marquee in Tolka Park with over a thousand people there – including, of course, a good few of the lads from eleven years ago. Anytime you’d bump into one of them over the years, you’d always end up talking about organising some kind of get-together but we had never gotten around to it. Until now. And, for myself, these days I tend to be a bit low-key and don’t go to a lot of functions, so it was extra special to spend time again reminiscing with people like Packie Bonner, Tony Cascarino, Kevin Moran, Andy Townsend, John Aldridge and Frank Stapleton.

We’d just keep getting into a little huddle and all the stories would come out again. Of course, the problem for me is that sometimes they’re telling me stories about things that actually happened to me and I’m saying “Jeez, I didn’t do that, did I?” Nah, I’m only kidding. But, genuinely, there are things you do forget, until somebody mentions something that happened, that sparks off someone else, and then the whole picture builds up for you again. It really was a great experience.

For all kinds of reasons – and not least because a good few of that team are still actively involved in the game – not everyone could make it, including Ireland’s current boss, Mick McCarthy, and our old boss Jack Charlton. Last time I saw Jack was at Denis Irwin’s testimonial in Dublin. I must say I do love bumping into him. He gives me the odd clip around the ear, a bit of advice and then he disappears into the night. And I think he even knows my name by now! After 12 years he’s finally cracked it. There’ll never be another like Jack. He was special to Irish football and just, well, a special man.

The Rome leg of our reunion was even more memorable. They put us up in a fabulous hotel, gave us a sight-seeing tour of the city and, best of all, brought us back to the Olympic Stadium. They even let us walk on the pitch. To see where it all happened, even though the stadium this time was empty, was really lovely. Then that night we had dinner and they screened a video of Italia 90. And watching it all again – Quinny’s goal against Holland, Kevin’s cracker against England, the penalties, the game against Italy – honestly, the hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. One difference this time though – there was no visit with the Pope. JP was busy, he was doing his own thing, he couldn’t make it to the dinner.

It’s four years now since I retired and I must admit I really do miss being involved. Even this week, some of the lads were asking me about management, and would I ever think of going into it? I used to always say no, definitely not. I could barely manage myself, so how could I contemplate managing anyone else? That’s maybe still basically the truth but as I’m getting a little bit better in myself, I do find myself thinking that it would be nice to be involved in the game somewhere along the line. I still don’t think I’d have the skills for management but I wouldn’t mind going back and maybe coaching a back four, say, or young players. Because I do definitely miss the game.

But like everyone else who loves football, at this time of the year I’m always excited at the prospect of the new season. Looking to the Premiership – and I know it’s awfully boring for some people to hear this – but I can’t see anyone touching Manchester United. Again! If the last season ended on a bit of a flat note at Old Trafford, it wasn’t just because of failing in the Champions League or concern about Alex Ferguson’s future. From talking to people in Manchester, I also know that it hurt that their biggest rivals, Liverpool, were seen by many as the team of the season.

I can’t see that happening again. The signing of Veron is a massive coup for United and, while I haven’t seen too much of him in action, from the pre-season evidence Van Nistelrooy looks a quality buy too. Speaking to a couple of the lads at Old Trafford, they were saying that his movement and workrate is incredible – he is one of those players who just doesn’t let defenders have a break.

People say that Alex Ferguson is spoilt for choice, and that’s obviously true, but if it was up to me, I’d have no doubts about who I’d play across the middle – Beckham, Keane, Veron and Giggs. Of course, now I have to find a place for Paul Scholes! And I think that would be playing off the front man. As for the whole idea of team rotation, I’m not convinced. For me, if a lad is playing well, it doesn’t do him any favours to leave him out. I’m with Johnny Giles on this one – whenever possible, you should always play your best eleven.

But given United’s strength in depth, I really believe that everyone else in the Premiership is playing for second place from the off. Arsenal and Leeds can be expected to compete but I’m not so sure about Liverpool. With their triple success last season, they may even have made a rod for their own back. Expectations will be very high now and I just don’t think they’ll be able to sustain that run.

Further afield, the signing of the summer had to be Zidane going to Real Madrid. If there’s anyone I’d pay a fortune just to see playing, it’s that man. He’s like a ballerina playing football. But he’s able to take the hard stuff too. Now, when you think that Real already have Figo in the side, the fact is that probably two of the three best players in the world are at the club. Some people wonder if one side can accomodate two outstanding individual talents but I reckon most managers would love to have the problem. I mean, it’s not as if Madrid are lacking gifted players elsewhere on the park, but with those two they really should be magnificent to watch.

All this and the climax to Ireland’s World Cup qualifying to look forward to. It’s enough to whet anyone’s appetite for the season. I can’t wait.