Ireland football legend Paul McGrath has revealed details about a recent health scare and amits he was “struggling for a while.”

The former Manchester United and Aston Villa star is now living in Wexford and turned 65 years old at the start of December.

He spoke during a podcast alongside Westlife singer Nick Byrne on a number of topics.

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“I have done that on and off through the years, where it usually involved alcohol and stuff like that,” McGrath said.

“Yeah, I was struggling for a while. It was touch and go which way it was going to go. I’m much healthier now.

“I haven’t put back on (weight), I haven’t been doing any gym work, but I’m delighted and thankful to the doctors in Wexford Hospital who got me well and brought back to health.”

He also spoke about his move to Wexford: “It’s great for me. Everyone leaves you alone. The Wexford people are great and keep me going.

“As a kid, I used to go down there to play the slot machines and holiday there.

“I just kept going there and decided I would stay.

“I need a stick now, but I do 9km walks every day and getting out keeps me healthy.”

He added: “We don’t talk about how we’re feeling too much and stuff like that or I don’t anyway.

“So I thought this would be a good thing to get involved with. I just jumped at the chance.

"I don’t do too much of this sort of stuff but I thought, why not?

“I think footballers who are leaving the game struggle.

“I wish things were better (when I played) and I wish people were able to talk to people to get their feelings out there and not just bottle it up.

“Coming to the age of 32 or 33 and just struggling themselves. Especially in my case it was with alcohol and stuff like that.

“So yeah, it’d be nice to be able to talk to someone or go to someone and just explain you’re feeling a certain way and ease your track to civilian life again.”

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