Martin Laursen was better than me says Aston Villa folk hero McGrath

May 17 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Sunday Mercury

CLARET and blue legend Paul McGrath has welcomed Martin Laursen into Aston Villa’s pantheon of all-time greats by declaring: “He’s as good as me, if not better”.

Laursen officially called time on his football career at Villa’s training ground on Friday after admitting he was fighting a losing battle against his latest knee troubles.

In paying tribute to the Danish defender, manager Martin O’Neill again likened him to McGrath while Villa supporters have hailed Laursen as the modern-day Macca.

Laursen suggested he was flattered to be mentioned in the same breath as the Irish icon who is still placed upon a pedestal by the adoring Holte End.

And during difficult days for Laursen, the departing captain will be even more excited to hear McGrath’s very own endorsement of his time at Villa Park.

“I think I’d put him a little bit above me,” whispered McGrath. “And that’s not me trying to be modest.

“I never scored the amount of goals that he’s scored so that’s where I fall down a little bit against him because I didn’t score enough goals.

“Defensive-wise we were pretty similar really to be honest. We were both good in the air.

“I’m going to be a bit cheeky here and say I might have had a bit more pace than him in my younger years.