Gods Stand out performances.

[garyshawsknee]

Talking about Paul McGrath.  I just want to know why he's regarded generally as our best ever play.  I've seen th 1994 match Ireland vs Italy which is incredible.

It's even more incredible when you realise he was up against Roberto Baggio, the previous years FIFA World Player of the Year, a player that scored for fun and Paul never gave him a look in. Baggio went on to be top scorer in that World Cup with Italy reaching the final. For me, he was right up there with his hero, Franco Baresi, as one of the greatest defenders of all time. Baresi had the advantage of playing at the back for fantastic Milan teams as well as World Cup winning and finalists, Italy.

A fair chunk of that Italy side had just turned Barcelona over a few weeks previous.  4-0 in the EC Final. Then they had the likes of Baggio and Signori on top of that. 

And a half fit McGrath (he still had an issue with his shoulder dating back to the LC final) was the best player on display.

When asked afterwards which Irish players could make it in Serie A, both Mancini and Baggio said Keane and McGrath.

Think Baresi was quoted as saying that it was one of the best defensive performances he'd ever seen.

[Rico]

Very simply he was a Rolls Royce of defenders, gliding effortlessly, smoothly around the pitch! It was a privilege to have seen him in a Villa shirt. The word world class is bandied around all too often, but in this case it sums him up perfectly! He was so good I can't believe he actually played for Villa!