While Matt Holland's career with Ireland only lasted a relatively short six years, he was a hugely important player during that time. He earned 49 caps and scored five goals, including the vital equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Cameroon at the 2002 World Cup.
Holland forged a decent career for himself in the Premier League, spending time in the English top flight with both Ipswich Town and Charlton Athletic.
He was never the biggest name in the league, which is what makes this story so funny.
Holland was speaking on talkSPORT earlier today, when he recalled a couple of occasions where he swapped shirts with Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The first occasion came when playing against The Netherlands with Ireland, where he asked the Dutch striker for his jersey. The second time at club level, the roles were reversed. However, van Nistelrooy did not ask for his shirt out of any admiration for Holland as a player:
"We played Holland and I got Ruud van Nistelrooy's shirt."
"Next time I played him, walking off after the game and I get a tap on the shoulder."
"It's RVN who says 'Can I get your shirt please?'"
We'll let @MattHolland8 finish this story! 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/k6UzXfwK0P— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 29, 2019
We played Holland and I got van Nistelrooy's shirt because my son wanted it. He's got it on his wall still.
The next time I played him, I was playing for Charlton at Old Trafford. It might have been Ipswich even.
Anyway, I come off after the game. Walking down the tunnel I get a tap on the shoulder, it's van Nistelrooy.
'Can I get your shirt please?' I was like 'of course you can', all delighted that van Nistelrooy wants my shirt.
He then says 'your name is Holland, I come from Holland, I want your shirt'.
I was buzzing as well, thinking van Nistelrooy wanting my shirt!
Brilliant.
