Hornets defender talks through his best players, matches and more in a quick-fire interview...
Best player you've played with?
“It has to be Paul Scholes. He was one of my favourite players growing up and then seeing him in training at United was a different experience altogether. He made the game look really easy and his awareness, the timing of his passing, the accuracy of passing made him just untouchable in training at times.”
Best player you've played against?
“Cristiano Ronaldo. I've only managed to play against him once and that was for Northern Ireland when we got a draw against Portugal which spoiled the party of his 100th cap. I was coming through at United at the time he was there and seeing him train week in, week out you could see he was going to make himself into the best player in the world. He was determined to keep improving all the time and you can see the incredible player he became and what he did at Real Madrid.”
Best player you've seen live?
“I went to a Barcelona game to see Messi and Ronaldinho so I'd say those two. It's hard to split them. I've seen Messi on TV but when you seen him live you realise how easy he makes the most difficult things look. He makes it look so easy that you think anyone could do it, but obviously they can't. His change of direction is ridiculous.”
Best captain you've player under?
“I've got to mention Troy. He's the captain I've had for the longest and is a big character for Watford. I've also had two captains for Northern Ireland, Aaron Hughes and Steven Davies. They are top pros and very down-to-earth lads.”
Best character in the dressing room?
“Chris Basham when I was at Blackpool. He is one of those who is always in a happy mood. He doesn't take anything too seriously and is a real joker and always up for a laugh.”
Best game you've played in?
“Two stick out for me from my time at Watford. There was the Brighton game when we got promoted, not just for the game but for the aftermath and the celebrations on the coach and at the training ground when we got promoted. The second has to be the Wolves semi-final for obvious reasons. And then I have to mention every game at the Euros in 2016 with Northern Ireland. It's a strange atmosphere in that every game felt like a cup final and the grounds and the fan zones were packed. The Northern Ireland fans were brilliant, unbelievable.”
Best coach you've worked under?
“When I first came to Watford, Malky Mackay was the manager and Sean Dyche was his assistant. Dychey spent a lot of time with me separately doing little bits of defensive work and that was brilliant for me. From my youth-team days, Paul McGuiness was a big influence when I was coming through at United. He was brilliant for so many lads who came through at United and was always giving lots of advice.”
Best friend in football?
“Mapps is my best friend at Watford. We get on really well and even go for bike rides together, which is a bit sad. From Northern Ireland, probably Corry Evans. He came to United at roughly the same time as me and I've known him for a long time.”
Best game you've been to?
"I went to an Old Firm game about seven years ago at Ibrox. Three of us from Blackpool went out the night before and then went to the game the next morning. We went as Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davies were playing for Rangers – and Rangers won so that was good.”
Best atmosphere you've been involved in?
"Every game at the Euros. Everyone was singing that 'Will Griggs on fire' song and when we played Germany, even their fans were singing it. It was a bit surreal. We were even singing it when we had a beer and there were all sorts of videos flying around. It was brilliant."
Best game involving the team you support?
"The '99 Champions League final. I'll never ever forget that. I was at home with my family and I went upstairs with 10 minutes to go as I was so annoyed at the result and how United were playing. Bayern should have battered them, but then I came downstairs when the family were screaming when Sheringham scored and then we were all on the couch when Solskjær scored. That will stay with me for the rest of my life."
