Julio Cesar Ribas did time for his part in a mass on-field brawl.
But now he is putting the fight into Gibraltar after a breakthrough year.
The former Uruguayan international hopes to spoil Mick McCarthy’s second coming as Ireland boss by masterminding a shock on ‘The Rock’ tomorrow.
And he knows a thing or two about upsets because three years ago he was Lincoln Red Imps manager when they beat Celtic here in a Champions League qualifier.
“He’s very passionate about football and about life and that’s exactly what we need,” Jordan Perez told Mirror Sport.
No fresh injury concerns for Mick McCarthy ahead of Ireland's EURO 2020 clash with Gibraltar
Perez was the Gibraltar goalkeeper when Ireland last faced the minnows in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign - but has since retired from international football.
“Ribas has made this team believe and they want to play in the right way and do the right things.”
In 2000, Ribas and nine players - six of them his - were jailed after an astonishing pitch battle at the end of a Uruguayan league game between his Penarol and Nacional.
He shared a sell with his players for eight days, during which time he kept them fit by running flights of stairs inside the prison.
Now mellowed at 62, Ribas - who had a three-game stint in charge of Oman - is trying to transform Gibraltar’s fortunes.
And last year he made significant headway. Nations League wins away to Armenia and at home to Liechtenstein created quite the stir in these parts.
Not least that performance in Yerevan as nine of Gibraltar’s starters were struck down with food poisoning earlier in the day.
Even the subsequent 6-2 loss at home to Armenia was groundbreaking as it was the first time Gibraltar scored twice in a competitive fixture.
Ribas often sheds a tear when the national anthem is played, such is his bond with his adopted home.
Mick McCarthy expects 'psychological warfare' in Gibraltar clash
And players have recounted stories of him welling up when delivering pre-match team talks.
The tunnel inside the tiny Victoria Stadium is now a shrine to famous images of Gibraltar’s history and is emblazoned with the logo ‘Passion, Faith, Family’ - all on his say so.
Ex-goalkeeper Perez added: “We’ve improved considerably since we last played Ireland. We’re tactically and physically better under this manager.
“Ireland are a top team with top professionals on big wages, so it’s going to be difficult but if we stay disciplined and play with our heart we can do better than before.”
Gibraltar battled with UEFA to play their home games on ‘The Rock’ having previously been forced to play in Portugal.
But Perez added: “There’s about 900,000 Irish fans who’ve got tickets! There’s no home advantage now.
“But I think teams respect us a bit more and recent results have something to do with that. I’m sure Ireland will be taking us more seriously this time.”
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