The guy was brutal DD. He may have given his all for us, but it did not make him a good footballer, which is what matters in my book. People - and I do not know why - have rose tinted specs when it comes to "Dobbin". At the time, he was extremely far from being a fans favourite.
I even remember a cartoon in the "Northern Light", and it was a cross between Irvine and a Horse. He was depicted drinking from a trough, and then trying to kick a ball. Underneath that the caption said:
"It just goes to show, you can take a horse to water, but you can't make a centre half out of him."
Harsh, but ultimately correct.
For the most part of his career with the Dons, he was carried by an outstanding team, and in particular an outstanding defence. The minute McLeish left us and I realised that Irvine would be our principal centre half, I very near soiled my pants. As I'd almost do numerous times the following season as Big Brian mis-judged another high ball to leave Theo horribly exposed again...