There’s plenty of Premier League experience and no shortage of household names in the Republic of Ireland Star Sixes squad.
After the success of the inaugural event in 2017, the six-a-side tournament will be back from 4-6 January at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro, and the Ireland side is stacked with quality.
Current Premier League leaders Liverpool are well represented, with former Anfield stars Jason McAteer, John Aldridge and Phil Babb all set to pull on the famous green shirt for the tournament.
Former Leeds United favourite and dead-ball specialist Ian Harte, ex-Arsenal, Manchester City and Sunderland hero Niall Quinn and former Everton midfielder Lee Carsley are also among the star-studded Irish squad.
Jason McAteer (c)
Capped 52 times for Ireland, McAteer was a hero of the Boys in Green’s 2002 World Cup squad, his second appearance at the tournament, and scored the vital goal in the defeat of Holland that secured qualification for the tournament in Japan and South Korea.
At club level, McAteer played exactly 100 Premier League games for Liverpool, having joined the Reds from Bolton Wanderers in 1995. The tenacious and committed midfielder later played for Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland and Tranmere Rovers.
John Aldridge
A league and cup winner with Liverpool, Aldridge scored a phenomenal 63 goals in 104 games for the Reds before leaving Anfield to test himself in Spain with Real Sociedad in 1991.
The prolific striker scored 19 goals for Ireland in a ten-year international career that saw him participate in three major tournaments, including the 1990 and ‘94 World Cups.
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Niall Quinn
With 21 international goals, Quinn was Ireland’s all-time leading scorer before Robbie Keane broke his record, and the former Arsenal, Manchester City and Sunderland man remains one of the nation’s most-loved players.
Standing a towering 6ft 4ins, Quinn was renowned for his aerial prowess and scored 163 goals in a 19-year playing career.
Ian Harte
One of the most prolific free-kick specialists the Premier League has ever seen, the ormer Leeds left-back was one of the best the English top flight had to offer in his position while at Elland Road.
Harte left Leeds in 2004 after scoring 39 goals in 288 games for the Yorkshire side. He later enjoyed spells with Levante in Spain, Sunderland and Blackpool among others.
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Phil Babb
Best known for his six years as a regular member of the Liverpool back four between 1994 and 2000, Babb played 170 times for the Reds, scoring once.
The defender then joined Tranmere before moving on to Sporting Lisbon and Sunderland. He amassed 35 caps for Ireland in an eight-year international career.
Lee Carsley
As technical as he was uncompromising, Carsley was among the Premier League’s most robust and efficient central midfielders during spells with Derby County, Blackburn, Coventry City, Everton and Birmingham City.
Carsely played 40 times for Ireland and was part of Mick McCarthy’s 2002 World Cup squad.
Owen Coyle
Striker Coyle spent his entire career in Scottish football except for a two-year stint with Bolton in the mid-1990s. He was a prolific marksmen on both sides of the border, netting 249 times in 669 career outings.
Coyle represented Ireland once at full international level, a 1-0 win over Holland in 1994.
Liam Lawrence
A hard-working and technically skilled wide player, Lawrence was a Premier League regular during spells with Sunderland and Stoke City, having started his career with Mansfield Town in the fourth tier.
He made 15 appearances for Ireland between 2009 and 2011, scoring twice.
Richie Partridge
Dublin-born midfielder Partridge came through the ranks at Liverpool in the early 2000s but is better known for his stays with Chester City and Rotherham United.
Partridge was capped for Ireland and under-17, 18 and 21 level.
Tim Dittmer
Dittmer will be between the sticks for Ireland at the Star Sixes. The experienced custodian is currently the FA’s head of goalkeeping.
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