Rob Elliot does not know whether to laugh or cry as he reflects on the past 12 months. One year ago he could barely walk. Player of the season for Newcastle United, the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper should have been competing for a starting jersey at Euro 2016.
Instead, he was among the masses of green on the night they played Italy in Lille, his friends having bought him a ticket in the hours after his knee buckled and ligaments snapped during a warm-up friendly against Slovakia.
Ireland won 1-0 thanks to Robbie Brady’s 85th-minute header and, knowing they were now set for the last-16, jubilant bodies were sent toppling and tumbling in the stands.