'How the hell does he only have 23 caps?'
That sentence will be doing the rounds quite a bit today after it was announced that former Ireland international Steven Reid had taken the decision to retire from football.
It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from professional football at the end of the current season.There has been many highs
— STEVEN REID (@stevenreid12) May 18, 2015
2.. and lows during my 17yr career and I would like to thank everybody, especially family, who have been part of the wonderful journey.
— STEVEN REID (@stevenreid12) May 18, 2015
When fit, Reid was one of Ireland's most consistent performers. Unfortunately however, he will almost inevitably be associated with the injury problems which dogged him throughout his career.
Reid who made six appearances for Burnley in the Premier League this season, won his first Ireland cap in 2001. He would go on to make two appearances at the 2002 World Cup before calling time on his international career in 2008 to concentrate on his return to fitness.
Although there will likely be a sense of 'what might have been', Ireland fans will certainly remember Reid fondly for always giving his all in a green jersey and being a thoroughly decent chap while he was at it.
