BAIRD: TIME TO CALL IT A DAY

FORMER Northern Ireland defender Chris Baird called time on his career yesterday, bringing the curtain down on 18 years of club football and 79-caps for his country.

Baird, who stepped away from national duty in 2016, made a total of 384 club appearances for eight clubs including Southampton, Fulham and Derby County.

Once described as an “absolute rock” by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’neill, Baird had been without a club since being released by Derby in the summer.

The 36-year-old said: “It’s been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, to retire from the game I love and has given me so much.

“But after 18 years as a professional, the time has come to hang up my boots.”

Baird played for Southampton as a 21-year-old in the 2003 FA Cup final, losing 1-0 to Arsenal, and also reached the 2010 Europa League final with Fulham.

He played right-back for The Cottagers who lost 2-1 after extra-time to an Atletico Madrid side that included Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan.

On the international stage, he featured for Northern Ireland at the Euro 2016 finals, making his final appearance in a green shirt in a 1-0 defeat to Poland in Nice.

Baird said: “Playing in an FA Cup final was something I always dreamed of and to reach the Europa League final with Fulham is something that will live with me forever.

“Going with Northern Ireland to Euro 2016 is one of the highlights of my career, and I am sure it is still talked about by all of the GAWA [green and white army].

“I want to stay involved in the game in some capacity and I will now look at all the options.”

THANKS FOR MEMORIES Chris Baird has hung up his boots after 18 year in the game