Manchester City star Jack Grealish believes his current boss Pep Guardiola would have loved coaching former Ireland international Stephen Ireland.
Having moved from Cobh Ramblers to Manchester City in 2001 as a fifteen year old, Ireland went on to star for City for five years from 2005 onwards as he established himself as a key player in the club's first team ranks.
The Manchester club have now released a new feature 'Ireland Is Superman' which chronicles the Irishman's time at the club.
In it, current star Jack Grealish was asked whether or not the former Irish international could have played under Pep Guardiola, and his answer was resounding.
He said: "Yeah, of course - 100 per cent.
"The way he's so technically gifted, Pep would love him.
"Playing in this team now is a pleasure to do. I'm sure Stevie Ireland would have loved to be involved in it.
Having left Manchester City for Aston Villa in 2010, Ireland came into a club where Grealish was emerging from the youth ranks and the latter pointed to the inspiration younger players took from him.
He said: "As soon as there was talk that he was going to sign for Villa, it was big.
"At the time, I was a number 10 coming through at Villa.
He was someone that I really looked up to always. He always gave us good information, and he was good with the young lads.
"I still speak to him now a fair bit. He was happy when I signed here because he sent me a lovely message.
"Honestly, there are so many players that we've both played with that have said he was the best trainer out of anyone they've seen."
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