MacDonald had double delight at Anfield

IRELAND’S new coach Kevin MacDonald was born on New Year’s Day 1960 in Inverness in Scotland and won a Division One medal as part of the Liverpool double-winning side of 1986.

MacDonald was discovered by Leicester City while playing for Highland League side Inverness Caledonian, and he made his name in England as a hard-working midfielder, eventually becoming club captain at Leicester. He arrived at Anfield halfway through the 1984-85 season when Liverpool boss Joe Fagan paid Leicester £400,000 for him.

MacDonald never held down a regular spot at Anfield, but his work as a left-sided midfielder helped Liverpool to the league title in 1986 and then he helped them to the double as they beat Merseyside rivals Everton in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

At the start of the following season, MacDonald broke his leg against Southamption at the Dell, an injury which eventually required two operations. By the time he recovered Kenny Dalglish had signed Steve McMahon and there was no way back into the first team. His 65 first-team appearances yielded five goals.

MacDonald later had spells on loan at his old club Leicester and also at Rangers. In 1989 he made a permanent move to Coventry City and played out the remainder of his career before becoming reserve team coach at Aston Villa.