Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton has paid tribute to Italian World Cup icon Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci, who passed away on Wednesday aged 59.
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton has paid tribute to Italian World Cup icon Salvatore 'Toto' Schillaci, who died on Wednesday aged 59.
"Wherever we went, people wanted to come and have pictures with him," Houghton told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra on spending time with the Italian in Ireland.The former rivals reunited in Ireland over the past few years for public appearances, including one at the National Ploughing Championships in Laois two years ago.
It was at Italia 90 where he captivated not only a nation but a watching global audience with six goals, earning the top scorer award, as the host nation reached the semi-finals at the expense of Houghton's Republic of Ireland side. " Donadoni had the with shot, Packie made the save and there was Toto to do what he does best – the poacher in the box to stroke it in to the back of the net to take his team through to the semi-final.Schillaci opened the scoring in their semi-final defeat to Argentina but sealed the Golden Boot with his sixth goal of the tournament in the third-place play-off against England.
"When you look at international sport and representing your country, you hope to have big moments and the biggest moment you can have is playing at the World Cup," Houghton told Evening Extra.
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