‘Some random fella, like Seán or Paddy McAteer from Down was picked’ – Jason McAteer reveals how he got his Irish passport

Ireland's Jason McAteer celebrates after scoring against the Netherlands in a World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road back in 2001

Aidan Fitzmaurice

Jason McAteer has said he was told by an FAI official to “pick a random name” from a list of possible Irish great-grandparents to allow him get an Irish passport after association officials were unable to find his formal link to Ireland.

Liverpool native McAteer was at Bolton Wanderers when he was scouted by Jack Charlton in 1994 and the Ireland boss was keen for the winger to explore his Irish roots to prove his qualification and establish his eligibility in time for the World Cup finals, a time when England were also offering him a call-up to their B team as well as Bolton teammate Alan Stubbs.