Gaizka Mendieta sees the flaws of the greatest league in the world

In Irish football’s roll call of arch-villains, he might be more Toto Schillaci than Thierry Henry, but as the man whose penalty finally did for Mick McCarthy’s team in that epic match in Suwon at the 2002 World Cup, Gaizka Mendieta always carries an extra little bit of baggage with him whenever he touches down at Dublin Airport. 

The last time he was in town was in the run-up to the finals of Euro 2012, when the former Spain midfielder warmed our cockles by assuring us that Trap’s boys were just the fellows to cause the then reigning world and European champions a problem or two in Poland.

“What I have seen of Ireland and from Trapattoni, he is very identified with Italian football,” he said at the time.