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Football

11th Jul 2018

Ray Houghton comments during England defeat spark fierce reaction

Patrick McCarry

He was kicking and heading every ball from the stands.

Boy, how Ray Houghton would have loved to be out there.

The former Liverpool and Ireland midfielder was on co-commentary with RTE’s George Hamilton as the broadcaster dished up England versus Croatia in the World Cup semi-final, from Moscow.

Houghton was impressed with England’s lively start and felt they should have led by more than 1-0 at half-time.

Croatia levelled matters in the second half and Houghton, who was born and raised in Scotland but played his club football in England, felt Ivan Perisic was lucky to get away with a high boot.

As much as he sided with England’s efforts to reach only their second ever final, one fan was irked when Houghton dropped a ‘we’ when discussing Gareth Southgate’s side.

It may have been a simple slip from the 73-times capped Irish legend, but others were not happy with his picky tone in commentary and how he seemed to be siding with the English.

Can’t please everyone.