The former Birmingham City striker represented the Republic of Ireland internationally and will always be proud to have been deemed the best on the pitch during a 0-0 draw in 2004 against a side that contained “superstar after superstar”.

Cinton told FourFourTwo magazine: “I like telling this story.

“We drew 0-0 against Brazil in Lansdowne Road in 2004 and there was superstar after superstar on the pitch – Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo… and guess what? I got man of the match!

“I suppose that’s my claim to fame.”

Clinton believes the South American players weren’t at their best because of the weather.

He admitted: “To be honest, I reckon it was a bit too cold for the Brazilians that night.”

Clint has “loads of fond memories” of playing for Ireland, though he still remembers the disappointment of missing out on a place in the 2006 World Cup.

He said: “We had such a talented squad – it was disappointing to miss out on a play-off place by just a point.

“There were several top performances in there, like drawing 0-0 at the Stade de France against that outstanding French side they had then.

“But I had loads of fond memories from my time in that team.

“It’s another level up from the Premier League, you might not touch the ball for five or six minutes, so when you eventually win it back, you need to be able to keep it.”