Damned if I know, I still scratch my head when I think of people voting for him as player of the season.
Spitballing but perhaps it was due to him being the anti-McLeish player? During a season of stflingly defensive football with a manager unanimously despised, I think some fans appreciated a 'technically sound' player.
Given, or even Chris Herd, should have won. Ireland is a waste of wages, space and oxygen.
I'd agree with this. Despite still being shit in the later half of that year he was the only on trying to play football.