It is 25 years to the day that Stephen McPhail scored a brace against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Fast forward to tonight and the then Leeds midfielder will be with his current club Shamrock Rovers in his role as sporting director for Thursday night's Europa Conference League clash.
“Most of them weren’t born so no point speaking about it,” McPhail said when asked if he reminded the Rovers players about his moment. “I was lucky to score a couple of goals there. My first two for Leeds. They were special times back then. It is always a place I will remember.”.
McPhail had a fine career at the top level as after Leeds he went to Barnsley, Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday before wrapping up his playing days at the Dublin club which visits Stamford Bridge tonight. This may be just another European night for Chelsea but it is another special moment for Rovers.
They’ve had big nights in Europe before but they arrive in London with history created as the first Irish team to progress to the knockout rounds since the introduction of group stages. Tonight is somewhat of a free hit. “The way it has fallen, it’s the last game of this stage,” said McPhail. “It is a brilliant achievement to be unbeaten coming over to London and compete against one of the biggest clubs in the world and bang in form. It is great for everyone that put in the hard work over the years. Now it is about enjoying it and seeing where it takes us.”.
