Pat Jennings: ‘Everywhere I went people would break into applause’

Liam Brady once said the best two keepers he played with were also the quietest — Dino Zoff and Pat Jennings. The latter knows the uphill battle facing Northern Ireland this month, but is living proof of what can be achieved punching above their weight.

Leicester City will be an inspiration for many of the lesser lights hoping to spring a surprise in France this summer, but Northern Ireland will be summoning the spirit of ’82 as they take on a tough group containing world champions Germany as well as Poland and Ukraine.

Michael O’Neill’s side did superbly to qualify for Euro 2016, earning themselves an all-time high Fifa ranking of 26th in the world as they won a group containing Greece, who were managed by Claudio Ranieiri before he took over at Leicester.