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Soccer

Stephen Hunt: Why I took penalty duties from Kevin Doyle!

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt was in studio for the Football Show last night...



Soccer

Stephen Hunt: Why I took penalty duties from Kevin Doyle!

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Stephen Hunt was in studio for the Football Show last night, and revealed why he took penalty duties away from Kevin Doyle after the latter's run of bad form.

Hunt regaled us with the story in light of the controversy surrounding Paul Pogba's missed penalty for Manchester United at Molineux - and was in unrepentant form.

"Me and Kevin Doyle had a falling-out over it, because I ran and got the ball and wouldn't give it to him," said Hunt of an incident against Liverpool while playing for Reading.

"Steve Coppell [Reading's then-manager] wasn't going to make a decision anyway, I knew he wouldn't. So it was a case of 'OK, Doyler, you've missed two!"

Hunt let us know that his dastardly plan was in his head prior to the match kicking off, but that he was too clever to let anyone know in case they castigated him.

"It's terrible, isn't it? We won 1-0 - a lot of pressure.

"I imagine I would have got it from the manager, though he would not have said it at the time. He would have said 'Doyler is the main man' and I would have been in trouble."

Hunt remained unrepentant though - and confirmed that the incident led him to being designated penalty-taker for Reading from there on out.

"You don't get forty international caps without being ruthless!"

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Ireland Kevin Doyle Reading Reading Fc Republic Of Ireland Soccer Stephen Hunt