Soccer

Peter Shilton: 'I certainly didn't have much luck against Ireland in my career'

"Probably on chances we should have won the game but it wasn't to be. Sometimes it was a bit of p...

Off The Ball

Soccer

Off The Ball

"Probably on chances we should have won the game but it wasn't to be. Sometimes it was a bit of poor finishing and Packie making great saves. Ray scored what was a rare header for him and I always get reminded of that header, but it was a terrific goal. Ray probably didn't head many balls in his career, I don't know, but certainly he put it in the one place you don't want it as a keeper. He put height to it and you couldn't get it."

That was Peter Shilton on Off The Ball tonight recalling Ray Houghton's iconic goal for Ireland to beat England 1-0 in Stuttgart at Euro 88.

The former England goalkeeper was part of English sides that faced - and couldn't beat - the Boys in Green in that tournament and Italia 90, and joined us on Part 3 of our Ford Sporting Moments series looking back on those games.

After musing about why England underachieved at Euro 88 and how Bobby Robson wondered whether Shilton would still be in place at Italia 90.

Ultimately, the 65-year-old was the starter at that World Cup and was the No 1 in Cagliari as England and Big Jack's Ireland went toe-to-toe in their first game of the tournament.

Due to the familiarity with the Irish players and the weather conditions, he told us that it "felt like playing in a game back home" and didn't feel like a World Cup game.

The 1-1 draw, with Ireland's goal coming from Kevin Sheedy meant Shilton and co were unable to get on top of Big Jack's team in a major tournament and Shilton admitted that: "I certainly didn't have much luck against Ireland in my career".

But England did go further than Ireland in Italy, by reaching the semi-finals and Shilton spoke about how tactical tweaks, luck and momentum helped the Three Lions to progress, before reminiscing about the night luck ran out at the hands of eventual champions Germany.