GENIUS' LEGEND IS INSPIRING NORTHERN IRELAND'S NEXT WAVE

Armstrong hails ‘ballerina’ who weaved his way into our hearts

- BY IAN PARKER

AS a new generation of Northern Ireland players aim to get back to football's biggest stage, George Best remains an inspiration.

Almost half of Michael O'Neill's most recent squad were no older than five when 59-year-old Best died in 2005.

“HE was a phenomenon because he was doing stuff that nobody else did.”

Gerry Armstrong never hesitates when asked to name the best player he ever shared a pitch with.

“I played with John Barnes and Glenn Hoddle and a lot of great players,” said the former Tottenham and Northern Ireland forward.

“I played against Diego Maradona. I played against some of the great stars, but George Best was unique.”

Best, who died at just 59 on November 25, 2005, has a special place in football history. He mixed a singular talent with the best and worst excesses of celebrity and, finally, a fatal addition to alcohol.

Armstrong made his Northern Ireland debut in 1977, the year in which Best's own international career was coming to its end. It was the start of an enduring