How could anyone not love Jonathan Walters?
The Stoke forward was key in our push to Euro 2016 and if there was a player you would have first in every XI, then it would be the former Ipswich man.
But life has not always been so good for the 32-year-old.
The forward has endured tough times on and off the pitch, with his ill child forcing him to move to Wrexham in order to get her the best possible care in the earlier part of his career.
It is a sign of his talent however that he forced his way back up the football ladder, to become a key player for both Ireland, and Stoke.
The attacker is enjoying life under the management of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane at present within the Ireland set-up, but things were not always so harmonious between the Corkman and Walters.
Keane described a set-to with Walters in his recent autobiography, where he mentioned how he and Walters came eyeball to eyeball in a dressing room row that ended with some pushing and heated verbals, as Walters describes it.
“There might have been a bit more than a heated argument”
Keane also was suspicious when Walters missed a league cup game, citing illness, which the Corkman did not believe. It forced Walters into sending the team manager a picture of his own vomit to prove his case.
But things are now much smoother between both men, with Walters admitting that he made the first move in easing the tension between both men according to the Independent.co.uk
“When we met up with the Ireland team I asked if we could have a word and we had a laugh about it straight away. We all make mistakes. I am man enough to get on with it and he is the same.”
Walters is going to miss tonight’s clash with Switzerland but has high praise for Keane’s role within the Ireland set-up and admits the Corkman was always one to instil a little bit of healthy fear and respect in players
“He’s a good manager, believe it or not. I liked the way he ran the dressing room. He could be over the top. But over the top to me? No. No one could get away with anything. If you put a foot out of line or did anything wrong, he would let you know. He would let you know as a manager and I still don’t think there are many players that will do that with people. People get away with all sorts.”
