The troubled Ulsterman took a smack in the mouth from Alan Shearer during his time at Newcastle, and ran up horse racing debts so high then-manager Kevin Keegan had to organise a loan from the club (tens of thousands) to bail him out.
He went on trial to Leeds United in the summer, but was snubbed due to high wage demands, and joined Sheffield United. He is a key member of the Northern Ireland team and they can ill-afford to do without him against England, Wales and firstly Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifiers.