“Denis was my hero. I idolised him. When I first met him I was so excited. It was at a game in Paris, he had played in the first half and we went for a cup of tea afterwards. I thought, ‘This is it, I’ve made it!’“He epitomised everything a Scotsman is about. He was daring and courageous, he had that bravado about him and he had style. He was a truly fantastic footballer.”
“Denis was my hero. I idolised him. When I first met him I was so excited. It was at a game in Paris, he had played in the first half and we went for a cup of tea afterwards. I thought, ‘This is it, I’ve made it!’
“He epitomised everything a Scotsman is about. He was daring and courageous, he had that bravado about him and he had style. He was a truly fantastic footballer.”
Jonny Evans – Roy Keane
“I reckon 80 per cent of young players who supported Manchester United when they were growing up would tell you that Roy Keane was their hero – just because of the way he was and the character he is.“Keano was an awesome player – and an incredible leader.”
“I reckon 80 per cent of young players who supported Manchester United when they were growing up would tell you that Roy Keane was their hero – just because of the way he was and the character he is.
“Keano was an awesome player – and an incredible leader.”
“I always thought Bryan Robson was everything that a United player should be – and I still do.“Even when I watch footage of him in action now, I always think of him giving everything for the cause. Blood, guts and thunder – with real class as well.”
“I always thought Bryan Robson was everything that a United player should be – and I still do.
“Even when I watch footage of him in action now, I always think of him giving everything for the cause. Blood, guts and thunder – with real class as well.”
“Paul McGrath was a big favourite.“He was as comfortable playing in midfield as he was at centre-back. It wasn’t a problem to him. He was the versatile type.“And not only did he have great ability he was also very calm on the ball. He was a special player.”
“Paul McGrath was a big favourite.
“He was as comfortable playing in midfield as he was at centre-back. It wasn’t a problem to him. He was the versatile type.
“And not only did he have great ability he was also very calm on the ball. He was a special player.”
“Peter Schmeichel was a cut above the rest in his era and changed the face of goalkeeping.“I still try to model myself on him and use aspects of his game in mine.“He produced some truly unbelievable saves. I still watch them on YouTube.”
“Peter Schmeichel was a cut above the rest in his era and changed the face of goalkeeping.
“I still try to model myself on him and use aspects of his game in mine.
“He produced some truly unbelievable saves. I still watch them on YouTube.”
“His passing and his aggressive way of playing was great.“I’m definitely a big admirer of his technique.”
“His passing and his aggressive way of playing was great.
“I’m definitely a big admirer of his technique.”
Rio Ferdinand:“My inspiration to play football was probably Diego Maradona.“He’s the first memory I have of someone doing something really great. I had all his videos and loved watching him.”
Rio Ferdinand:“My inspiration to play football was probably Diego Maradona.
“He’s the first memory I have of someone doing something really great. I had all his videos and loved watching him.”
Ryan Giggs: “I always used to look out for left-footers and John Barnes and Maradona were always the ones that I looked up to when I was a kid.“I remember Maradona in the 1986 World Cup. He was such a great player. That goal he scored against England – not the Hand of God goal – was absolutely amazing.”
Ryan Giggs: “I always used to look out for left-footers and John Barnes and Maradona were always the ones that I looked up to when I was a kid.
“I remember Maradona in the 1986 World Cup. He was such a great player. That goal he scored against England – not the Hand of God goal – was absolutely amazing.”
Carlos Tevez (If he is still your hero and you care to listen to him): “Maradona is the greatest player of all time. Diego, for all Argentinians, is God. And he always will be.“I have a great relationship with Diego.“My family also has a great relationship with his family and I have a really, genuinely warm bond with him.”
Carlos Tevez (If he is still your hero and you care to listen to him): “Maradona is the greatest player of all time. Diego, for all Argentinians, is God. And he always will be.
“I have a great relationship with Diego.
“My family also has a great relationship with his family and I have a really, genuinely warm bond with him.”
Wayne Rooney: “My favourite player is Maradona.“I’ve watched lots of videos of him in action and I just love the way he played.“In my eyes, he’s the best player of all time.”
Wayne Rooney: “My favourite player is Maradona.
“I’ve watched lots of videos of him in action and I just love the way he played.
“In my eyes, he’s the best player of all time.”
“My father Ivan taught me so I’ve lots to thank him for. When you hear the other names you don’t need to be told why they were great.”
“I loved the way Beardo played the game. Gascoigne was an absolute genius.“Wright I enjoyed watching more for his goal celebrations.”
“I loved the way Beardo played the game. Gascoigne was an absolute genius.
“Wright I enjoyed watching more for his goal celebrations.”