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GARETH McAULEY gets genuinely embarrassed at being mentioned in the same sentence as George Best and Norman Whiteside.
West Brom’s veteran defender today runs out on the same pitch graced by two of Manchester United’s legends.
So what puts the 37-year-old defender alongside two Old Trafford greats? Well, astonishingly, McAuley has scored the same number of goals for Northern Ireland as United’s famous sons.
The big defender’s header in the 4-0 win over Azerbaijan back in November was his ninth in the green shirt and put him level with Best, Whiteside and Martin O’Neill.
United boss Jose Mourinho should take note, because he’s also bagged eight for Albion this season, along with a new contract this week.
Not bad for a man who is the oldest outfield player to play in the Premier League this season.
Humbling
The deal is testament to the hard graft and determination he’s shown on a remarkable footballing journey.
Laughing, McAuley said: “I do get a bit embarrassed about having the same amount of goals as huge players like that.
“It might be a fact but it’s incredible really. It’s taken me twice as many games to get them to be fair!
“When you are from Northern Ireland and you think what a superstar George was and then you’ve got massive, massive players like Norman and Martin; they’re part of our history.
“It’s kind of humbling but it’s something I’ll be able to look back on fondly when I’ve finished.”
Not that there’s any immediate signs of that. McAuley’s new one-year extension with West Brom is his sixth contract in six years. He added: “It’s like I’ve kind of been on a Irish League football than Lincoln were paying. But it was something I wanted to do.
“If I hadn’t, I would have regretted it. It wasn’t about the money.”
He readily admits those days seem a million miles away from the contract he’s just signed, adding: “It’s been an incredible journey, like stepping stones, and here is where I am.”
Lincoln’s 10 grand cheque was the only time anyone spent money on him. Even joining West Brom at the age of 31 cost them nothing.
“As you move on you eventually get to a stage where you actually become overpaid for what you are doing,” he said.
“I’ve been out in the real world and I think some of the money in football is crazy.
“I feel lucky to have had the opportunity because millions of youngsters don’t get it. Having said that, I’ve worked hard at it.”
It comes at a price too. McAuley gets plenty of stick in the dressing room, adding: “I get all the age jokes – on a daily basis.
“But some of the younger players – like Sam Field – ask me stuff about how I manage to keep doing it and what they should do.
Swansong
“It’s pleasing when that happens. You want to help and pass on what you know. Maybe some are a bit embarrassed to ask.
“I didn’t have the chance some of the younger players have been given. I think it’s desperately sad when some young players don’t fulfil their careers.”
McAuley would love a magnificent swansong at the World Cup finals in Russia – and a few more goals along the way!
“People are asking me why I’m suddenly scoring like I am,” he said.
“We work on set-pieces and, with less blocking and holding allowed, if you get a good run it gives you a chance.”
With defensive partner Craig Dawson getting two goals in the recent win over Arsenal, the danger signs are there. You have been warned, Mr Mourinho...