Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has likened England centre-back Harry Maguire to former Republic of Ireland captain Richard Dunne.
Redknapp managed Dunne for two seasons while the pair were together at Queens Park Rangers and Redknapp said that Maguire’s deceptive pace was very similar to Dunne’s at QPR.
“Not saying it now, it’s easy to be wise afterwards, but I’ve been a big fan of his for a few years,” Redknapp said at the launch of AIB’s Toughest Rivalry series which will chronicle both Redknapp and Cianluca Vialli’s journeys as the two powerhouses will take charge of two rival GAA clubs.
“He always reminded me of Richard Dunne because you look at him and he’s not a great mover, or you wouldn’t look at him and think he’s silky smooth but he’s so effective.
“I mean I had Richard Dunne and people used to say, coaches in my dressing room, that would say ‘get it up the side of him you’d do him for pace’.
“I’ve gone ‘no you don’t do Richard Dunne for pace, he’s the quickest thing you’ve ever seen in your life. Richard Dunne was a flying machine. He was just a great big bloke and people thought he couldn’t’ run because he looked that way but he had the pace of sprinter. He was incredible.
“I think Harry Maguire has got an ungainly look about him but I think Harry Maguire you look at him and he’s not smooth but what a competitor. What a good player.
“Good in the air, good on the ball, I see Tony Adams in him as well. He’s a leader. I think Leicester are going to have an awful time trying to hang onto him. There’s going to be a lot of clubs trying to buy him.”
Maguire scored the first goal in a 2-0 win for England over Sweden in the quarter-final to put the Three Lions through to a semi-final where they will play Croatia on Wednesday evening.
Redknapp also praised captain Harry Kane and said that he did not predict that he would go on to become one of the best strikers in football.
“I didn’t think he’d go on to become the best centre-forward in the world, which I think he is now,” added Redknapp.
“I think he’s the best leader of the line in the world. I don’t see anyone that is an out-and-out leader of the line that is better than him.
“I always thought he’d be a good player. I always thought he’d be a Premier League player. He had this attitude, he had a great attitude. A good trainer, a good player, but to go on and do what he’s done has just been…..
“Even when I’d left he didn’t get in the team. He came into the team really because [Roberto] Soldado suddenly wasn’t doing it and he got an in and they stuck him in.
“Then he was in and out but it’s just been amazing. His confidence has grown, he’s got great belief in himself and he’s a great boy. What he’s achieved has been amazing.
“He trains right, he works hard and he’s a model professional. You’re never going to read anything about him that’s going to be bad news. He just gets on with his life and lives with his family. Loves his golf.
“He’s not going to be out and about at night anywhere is he. He’s a proper good guy.”
*Harry Redknapp, pictured today at the launch of AIB’s new series, The Toughest Rivalry. The series, airing exclusively across AIB’s social channels, stars both Redknapp and former Italian footballer and Premier League manager Gianluca Vialli.
AIB’s Toughest Rivalry series will chronicle both Redknapp and Vialli’s journeys as the two powerhouses will take charge of two rival GAA clubs. Vialli with Erin’s Isle in Dublin, and Redknapp with Castlehaven in West Cork. The two teams faced off in an infamous 1998 AIB GAA All-Ireland Club Semi-Final, where Castlehaven were defeated by a last-minute questionable goal. The controversial ending left both teams with unfinished business.
The first episode of The Toughest Rivalry will air on Friday, July 13th and every Friday, exclusively on AIB’s social channels.
For exclusive content and behind the scenes action from The Toughest Rivalry follow us @AIB_GAA on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and AIB.ie/GAA.
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