Jon Walters is the man of the moment on these shores.
Two goals in a 2-0 win in the second leg of a playoff would be enough to elevate any man to legendary status, but on the back of such an impressive campaign, Jon Walters will always be remembered for his performances in the green jersey.
It's not just the Irish who are signing Walters praise, as Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher singled big Jon out as his "man of the week" in his regular column for the Daily Mail, and he had some lovely things to say about him:
A good night would have been had by all in Dublin on Monday after the Republic of Ireland secured their place at Euro 2016.
Martin O'Neill has, of course, received plenty of plaudits but the role Walters has played in helping his country get over the line should not be underestimated. Aside from a double against Bosnia, his goal against Georgia in September helped Ireland get into contention for the play-offs.
Walters became infamous after scoring two own goals and missing a penalty during a game against Chelsea in January 2013 but the Stoke City forward showed his character by scoring two goals in his next match and he has established himself as a Premier League-class centre forward.
I played against him a few times and his aggression, tenacity and determination meant you would never have a moment's peace. But you saw with his superb volley against Chelsea last month that there is more to his game now than physicality.
He had nine different clubs before Stoke signed him from Ipswich in August 2010 but he has given them outstanding value for money — he cost £2.7million — and I don't think Mark Hughes, like O'Neill, would be without him.
His trip to France next summer is fully deserved.
You're damn right it is!
It's nice to see Walters praised so publicly to a wider audience than Irish football fans, and hopefully he can continue his early season form into the new year and hopefully carry it into the Euros.
via DailyMail.co.uk
