Cyrus Christie ready on wings as Euro Odyssey finally takes flight

If Cyrus Christie gets told his biggest obstacle in life is dislodging the best right-back in the Premier League to further his international career, then he’d have every reason to chuckle.

Seamus Coleman’s deputy in the Ireland squad has overcome adversity throughout his life. Whether it was racial tensions in Coventry or trying to make the grade with his hometown club, Christie will take his seat on tomorrow’s flight for France sculpted by his experiences along the journey to the Euros.

The Derby County full-back didn’t have far to search for a role model. Errol Christie became middleweight champion of Europe as an amateur, sparring with the great Muhammad Ali along the way, and to this day, as he battles lung cancer, his professional footballer nephew remains his No 1 fan.