Bonner credits old pal with Krul switch

Former Ireland stopper Packie Bonner has revealed his long-time friend, Netherlands goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek, had planned Tim Krul’s decisive late entrance into Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final.

The Dutch face off with Argentina tonight for a place in Sunday’s biggest game in world football and Ireland’s Italia ‘90 hero reckons Louis Van Gaal will again take counsel from his sidekick Hoek if another penalty shoot-out unfolds.

“I know Frans going back many decades, and he has the full trust of Van Gaal,” said Bonner yesterday, at the launch of next month’s Macron Galway Cup tournament.