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from Donegal so I had a real connection with Ireland.
“But there was no pressure from him to choose his country of birth. He said, ‘It’s your career. It’s your decision but once you make the call we’ll back you’. I’m sure that will happen with Scott.”
Houghton made his Ireland debut in 1986 just a few months before Scotland headed to Mexico for their fourth World Cup in succession.
At that time the Scots were enjoying greater success than Jack Charlton’s side.
But Houghton plumped for the Irish after a bad experience with the Scotland Under-17 side when future national boss Andy Roxburgh was in charge. He went on to reach Euro 88 with Charlton’s side, scoring in a 1-0 victory against England, then played at two successive World Cups, culminating in a memorable winner against Italy at USA 94.
He recalled: “Scotland were just going to Mexico 86. Jock Stein had passed away and Alex Ferguson had taken over on a temporary basis.
“When Jack Charlton came in for me I agreed to play for Ireland as no one from Scotland rang me.
“There was pressure from my brothers to play for Scotland. They wanted me to hang on, see how RODGERS: HAND THE ARMBAND TO KIERAN Declan inderby fitness sweat the World Cup went and make a decision after that. But I felt differently. When I was at West Ham I went up to Scotland for a trial with Scotland Under-17s and it wasn’t a good experience. “Andy Roxburgh was in charge and the English-based boys who came up weren’t treated the best. I didn’t enjoy it at all. “So when the opportunity came up to play for Ireland I didn’t have a difficult decision to make. “I met Andy a few years later when he came down to Liverpool. I was injured at the time so I was sitting watching the lads train. Andy sat next to me and we had a chat. He said, ‘You know Ray, you should have played for Scotland’. I told him, ‘It’s your fault Andy. You were the manager of the Under-17s and you never picked me!’ “But I have no regrets as Ireland worked out for me.”