The former Liverpool midfielder scored a pivotal goal in a 1-0 win over the Netherlands that took them into the tournament, but he still harbours a regret that he assumed a request from the ‘One’ hitmakers to join them at a gig in Ireland after the game was a prank.

He recalled to World Soccer magazine: “There was one regret after the game.

“I got into the dressing room and was gathering my thoughts.

“The physio came inn and said, ‘U2 are playing at Slane Castle. Bono has been on the phone. He wants to fly you up in a helicopter. He wants you to stay in your kit and go up on the stage.’

“I just thought, ‘This is too good to be true. It’s not happening.’

“I declined the offer, thinking it was a wind-up.”

But later, Jason, now 53, was stunned to learn frontman Bono had indeed given him a shout-out during the gig.

He continued: “But Bono actually shouted my name to the crowd. He said, ‘Just imagine seeing Jason McAteer…’

“They’d played the game on the big screen before the show. Bono said we were the best warm-up act they’d ever had.”