Ray Houghton tips Aiden McGeady to shine for Ireland at Euro 2012

RAY Houghton has tipped former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady to make a major impression for the Republic of Ireland at the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

Former Liverpool and Aston Villa midfielder Houghton scored Ireland’s first-ever goal at the European finals against England in 1988, and like McGeady – now at Spartak Moscow – he was born in Glasgow but represented the Republic instead of his native Scotland.

“I think Aiden could do it – sometimes he lacks discipline and his final ball is not always great, but he’s improved a lot since moving to Russia and gotten stronger,” said Houghton, who won 73 caps. “This could be the tournament where he shows his potential.”

Houghton, 50, believes that the current Irish side is better equipped mentally than his 1988 team. “We were supposed to come last in the group with no points. No one gave us a prayer. But we got off to a good start and the whole country got behind the team,” he added.

Houghton’s header past Peter Shilton gave Ireland a famous 1-0 victory over their fierce rivals. Ronnie Whelan bettered that effort with a spectacular volley in a 1-1 draw with USSR and the Irish were unlucky to lose to eventual winners Netherlands as they failed to progress in the eight-team tournament.

After an absence of 24 years, Ireland beat Estonia in the play-offs to qualify for only the second time and are drawn in Group C against Croatia, Spain and Italy. The Irish will play all their group games in Poland.

Houghton believes they will have to take something from their opener against Croatia to have any chance of progressing. “We have to remember that Ireland are up against the last two winners of the World Cup in Spain and Italy, so that first game is hugely important. If we don’t take something there, we’ll struggle,” he said.