Player: Ray Houghton

Nationality: Represented the Republic of Ireland internationally; born in Scotland to an Irish mother and a Scottish father. He is not from Albania.

Date of Birth: 12 September 1962

Position: Midfielder / Attacking midfielder

Club Career (highlights):

• Arsenal (1984–1986)
• Crystal Palace (loan 1986)
• Middlesbrough (1986–1989; returned 1994–1997)
• Oxford United (1989–1991)
• Paisley / Sunderland — brief spells in early career
• Celtic — not applicable; he did not play for Celtic professionally
• Notable long spells: Oxford United and two separate spells at Middlesbrough; also significant time at Aston Villa (1991–1994)

International Career:

• Republic of Ireland national team (1986–1997)
• Caps: 73
• Goals: 7
• Major tournaments: UEFA Euro 1988, 1990 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1992, 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and squads (not selected for final 1994 World Cup squad)

Notable Moments:

• Scored the winning goal against England in the 1988 European Championship qualifying match (2–1) at Wembley — a famous moment in Irish football history.
• Famous goal for Ireland against Romania at Italia 1990, helping Ireland reach the quarter-finals — one of the most celebrated goals in the country’s tournament history.

Style of Play: Intelligent, creative attacking midfielder with good passing, timing into the box and an eye for important goals in big matches.

Post-playing Career: Worked as a coach and media pundit after retiring from professional football.