For Extratime.ie: Ruud Gullit - Roberto Di Matteo put Chelsea on the map

Former Chelsea player and manager Ruud Gullit has claimed that it was Roberto Di Matteo who put the Londoners on the map of international football – not current Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

For Extratime.ie: Ruud Gullit - Ireland bought off for €5 million

Ruud Gullit has said that it was natural for fans of the Republic of Ireland to react with disappointment at the news that the FAI had been "bought off" by FIFA in the aftermath of the Thierry Henry handball incident during a World Cup play-off against France in 2009. 

For Extratime.ie: Ruud Gullit - MLS full of potential

Major League Soccer is successfully tapping into the "unbelievable" potential of the sport in America, with the United States national team benefitting from the growth of the game there according to Dutch legend Ruud Gullit – and the former LA Galaxy boss believes that this could continue to entice better players from Europe to move Stateside. 

For Extratime.ie: Signing for Bray a "no-brainer" says Cherrie

After a stint in the Irish Premiership with Cliftonville, former Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie is delighted to be back in the League of Ireland with Bray Wanderers having arrived at the Carlisle Grounds during the July transfer window. 

For Extratime.ie: Cooke "very confident" Bray's off-field issues are behind them

When Mick Cooke agreed to take the Bray Wanderers job following the resignation of Trevor Croly, he became the fifth person to oversee first-team affairs at the Carlisle Grounds in 2015. 

For Extratime.ie: Collie O'Neill - Bratislava the bar we have to reach

Collie O'Neill has just come through a more hectic month as boss of First Division UCD than most Premier Division managers will endure over the course of an entire season, and he admits that the Students' Europa League escapades have taken a physical and mental toll – but he wouldn't trade it for anything, saying: “It's been brilliant, it really has.”

For Extratime.ie: Slovan Bratislava coach praises "brave" UCD

Slovan Bratislava coach Dušan Tittel was pleased to witness an improvement on his side's first-leg performance against UCD in Slovakia as they booked their place in the third qualifying round of the Europa League with a 5-1 win over the Students in Belfield. 

For Extratime.ie: Kenny admits to tough European draw

Stephen Kenny believes that Belarusian champions FC BATE Borisov represent as tough a challenge as Dundalk could have been given from Monday's Champions League second qualifying round draw, but told Extratime.ie after the match-up had been made: “We ourselves are formidable as well.”

Scarlett Lace for Miss Burlesque Ireland 2015

If you had told Bróna Keegan, stage alias Scarlett Lace, that a mere two years after she started dancing for the first time she would be competing in a national burlesque event, she would have responded: "Absolutely not."

For Extratime.ie: Keane feels best is yet to come from McCarthy

Roy Keane believes that James McCarthy's second half performance in the 1-1 draw with Poland in March is proof that his best is yet to come in a green shirt – but has told critics to lay-off the 24 year old.

For Extratime.ie: Yadolahi confirms Drogheda United departure

Neil Yadolahi has opted to leave Drogheda United during the summer transfer window in order to pursue options outside of Ireland, where the Dubliner has spent the bulk of his short career to date. 

For Extratime.ie: Heary denies stepping down as Sligo Rovers manager

In the latest twist in the Sligo Rovers-Owen Heary saga, the Bit O'Red released a statement on Friday evening officially confirming that the Dubliner had “stepped down” as manager – only for Heary to refute that live on Setanta Sports by responding: “I never stepped down. They sacked me.”

For Extratime.ie: Top 5 Irish appearance holders in European competition

With the qualifying round draws for the 2015/16 Champions League and Europa League set to take place in UEFA headquarters in Nyon on Monday, there is a keen Irish interest in the outcome – and not just from League of Ireland supporters.

For Extratime.ie: Maloney singled out for praise by Strachan

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan singled out Shaun Maloney for special praise after the 32 year old midfielder once again proved to be a thorn in the side of the Republic of Ireland, playing a key role in helping the Scots earn a point in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Aviva Stadium.

For Extratime.ie: McClean reveals O'Neill instruction - "Just don't get beat."

James McClean has revealed Martin O'Neill's very specific instruction on what to do differently against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium this weekend following November's 1-0 defeat to the same opposition: “Just don't get beat.”