Ray Houghton says the inevitable 'crowd abuse' should 'inspire' the Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy and 'make them try a bit more' some Friday evening.
Houghton told us that he got a tough reception from the crowd back in Hampden Park in 1987, when Mark Lawrenson's goal gave Ireland a 1-0 victory and set Ireland on the road to Euro 88.
When asked whether the two boys will get the same treatment this week, he almost breezily agrees that they will. However, he reckons that the pair (assuming both play) will be braced for whatever comes and it shouldn't be too bad.
If you've already got your mind made up that that's going to happen, then it's not such a big deal. It should inspire you. It should make you play a bit better.
Houghton told the Scotsman at the weekend that his older brothers confronted people who were booing him at Hampden Park that night in 1987.
John and Ken were both in the stand that night. When they heard me being booed by people close by they went over to them and had what I’m sure was an interesting discussion. They’ll have told these fellows how Scotland weren’t interested in me as a footballer.
He also has spoken before about being rebuked by Andy Roxburgh in later years for choosing Ireland above Scotland. Houghton's answer is straightforward. Scotland had their chance and 'didn't want me, Jack Charlton and Ireland wanted me.'
Last night, former Manchester United and Leeds United defender, Gordon McQueen, described McGeady and McCarthy as 'traitors'.
