Tributes have been paid to the former Republic of Ireland and Liverpool striker Michael Robinson, who has died at the age of 61.
Popular Spanish TV presenter Robinson had been battling skin cancer.
He forged a successful second career after playing at the top level in England for Preston, Manchester City, Brighton, Liverpool and QPR.
Robinson scored 4 goals in 24 appearances for the Republic of Ireland between 1980 and 1986.
Mark Lawrenson played for the national team and at Liverpool with Robinson and tweeted:
"Gutted to hear the passing of Michael Robinson (AKA The Cat). We played cricket together in our teens - He followed me to Preston North End, then Brighton, Republic of Ireland and finally Liverpool. He even bought my house off me in Hove. It's a sad day in sad times. RIP MATE."
Lawrenson, Robinson and Graeme Souness were on the pitch in Rome in 1984 when Liverpool beat Roma on penalties to win the European Cup for a fourth time.
Souness was captain that season, when the Reds also won the First Division and English League Cup with Robinson a key player.
Graeme Souness pays tribute to friend and former team-mate Michael Robinson who has died aged 61
More: https://t.co/9IyNX2aIIK pic.twitter.com/h512UwrowC— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 28, 2020
He paid tribute to his friend on SKY Sports, saying that Robinson was great fun.
"I've got so many fond memories of being in his company. If you were going for a night out, Michael would be the first one you would invite. A real charming man, bon viveur, great stories, could tell great stories. When you look at his career he was a very good footballer, he enjoyed a year at Liverpool when we had a glory year and he was a big part of that."
Souness revealed how well known and liked Michael Robinson became in Spain.
"He took himself off to Spain, played at Osasuna in Spain and then he's created a life for himself in the media out there and he was extremely popular in Spain. He phoned me up one Friday afternoon - he used to go for these long Spanish lunches - and he was celebrating. He got back to his office, because he'd been out for lunch with Seve Ballesteros. He was walking down the street in Madrid and half a dozen people stopped and asked him for an autograph and only one asked Seve. He was rejoicing in that. He was a proper, proper man."
Souness finished his tribute to his friend on a poignant note.
"He was a close pal of mine and I'm absolutely sick for his family. It's a sad day for me. I have tried to ring him a couple of times in the last couple of weeks. Michael was a very emotional man and he wouldn't pick up the phone any more to me. It was only last night that I'm thinking - 'I'm going to try him and try him until I get him and I thought I won't ring him now because he may be in his bed and I was going to ring him today'. And I've not got the chance to speak to him."
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