Ireland’s players on the pitch ahead of the Nations League game with Greece(Image: INPHO/Nikola Krstic)

‘Emotional’ night as Greece and Ireland fans to pay tribute to the late George Baldock

Ray Houghton has highlighted a key change in Ireland’s performance against Finland last Thursday.

13 Oct 2024, 18:10 by Mark McCadden · Irish Mirror

Ray Houghton has predicted an ‘emotional’ night in Piraeus when Greece face Ireland in their first home game since the passing of 31-year-old star George Baldock.

The 12-time capped international was found in his Athens home last Wednesday, on the eve of Greece’s 2-1 win away to England. Greek officials asked for the Wembley game to be postponed but were ordered to fulfil the fixture.

They will get the chance to pay tribute to Baldock when they host Ireland on Sunday night.

And former Ireland star, and RTÉ co-commentator, Ray Houghton has no doubt that it will lead to a highly-charged atmosphere.

“It will be very emotional here in the stadium tonight, there is no question about it,” said the ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa man. “I only saw George play for Sheffield United and every time I watched him he gave you 100 percent.

“You knew as a manager, as a fan, what he was going to give you game in, game out. All our prayers go out to his family at this devastating time for them.”

Speaking about Ireland’s prospects against a side that has won all three of their Nations League games to date, Houghton pointed to a fresh approach under Heimir Hallgrímsson.

“They are on a run of four wins in a row, three in the Nations League, their form has been excellent, they are playing with great tenacity, great understanding, the new manager has come in and has got his point of view across on how he wants them to play,” he said.

“It was a great win against England, we must say that, going to Wembley and playing in the manner that they did. Although they won 2-1, it could have been more. There were three goals chalked off for offside.

“So that showed you their intent and it’s going to be the same tonight.”

Houghton added: “He (Hallgrímsson) did change, I thought they played a lot quicker. I thought in the first-half they were okay. Second-half, much, much better.

“The intensity was better, the closing down was much better, and what I’ve been saying for a long time, get more balls into the box, create more opportunities, and I thought they did that in the second-half.”

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