His birth certificate reads “Super Johnny Walters” so it’s about damn time he gets some recognition.
And the Republic of Ireland forward has certainly earned just that from Jamie Carragher as the Liverpool legend has picked Walters as his man of the week in his Daily Mail column.
Carragher has clearly kept abreast of the Irish set-up as he’s given Rob Elliot and Harry Arter the same honour in recent weeks but it was the turn of SJW to get some appreciation from Carragher this time around.
He writes: “A good night would have been had by all in Dublin on Monday after the Republic of Ireland secured their place at Euro 2016.
“Martin O’Neill has, of course, received plenty of plaudits but the role Walters has played in helping his country get over the line should not be underestimated. Aside from a double against Bosnia, his goal against Georgia in September helped Ireland get into contention for the play-offs.
“Walters became infamous after scoring two own goals and missing a penalty during a game against Chelsea in January 2013 but the Stoke City forward showed his character by scoring two goals in his next match and he has established himself as a Premier League-class centre forward.”
Carragher has come up against Walters on a number of occasions in the past and is well aware of what he brings to sides, whether it’s Stoke or Ireland.
“I played against him a few times and his aggression, tenacity and determination meant you would never have a moment’s peace. But you saw with his superb volley against Chelsea last month that there is more to his game now than physicality.
“He had nine different clubs before Stoke signed him from Ipswich in August 2010 but he has given them outstanding value for money — he cost £2.7million — and I don’t think Mark Hughes, like O’Neill, would be without him.
“His trip to France next summer is fully deserved.”
Amen, Jamie! Amen.
