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Five times an outfield player took the gloves after Giroud's Milan heroics
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Adam Drury
LiveScore
Olivier Giroud proved to be a safe pair of hands in goal for AC Milan
Olivier Giroud proved to be a safe pair of hands in goal for AC Milan

Outfielders going in goal is always a source of entertainment.

That was certainly the case on Saturday when Oliver Giroud took the gloves for AC Milan at Genoa after Mike Maignan had been sent off and with a 1-0 lead to protect in second-half stoppage time.

The Frenchman did the job, making one brave save to preserve the lead.

We take a look at previous examples of players stepping up — with mixed results.

Phil Jagielka

Notoriously one of the best outfield goalkeepers, Phil Jagielka was so good with his hands that former Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock stopped naming a reserve stopper on the bench.

The ex-England defender famously donned the gloves when Blades No1 Paddy Kenny picked up an injury against Arsenal in December 2006, making a decent save from Robin van Persie to ensure a 1-0 victory.

And in the documentary following the club's fortunes in the 2004-05 season, Warnock told his players after more Jagielka heroics: "When do we need a f***in' keeper? Jaggy in goal next week."

Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker took the gloves for Manchester City against Atalanta in 2019
Kyle Walker took the gloves for Manchester City against Atalanta in 2019

Such is the way that Pep Guardiola is inspiring the revolution of the goalkeeper position, handing an outfield player the gloves might soon be a tactical ploy.

But that was not the case when Manchester City played Atalanta in the Champions League in 2019 and lost Ederson to injury and Claudio Bravo to an 81st-minute red card.

Kyle Walker was simply tasked with keeping the ball out of the net at all costs and managed to do so in the remaining minutes.

John Terry

John Terry went in goal for Chelsea against Reading in 2006
John Terry went in goal for Chelsea against Reading in 2006

Chelsea put captain John Terry in goal after both Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were subbed off with serious head injuries at Reading in 2006, the former's forcing him to wear a helmet for the rest of his career.

In the scary circumstances, it will have come as a relief to Terry that he was hardly forced into action.

One long clearance was enough to secure the Blues a resilient 1-0 victory — and for their skipper to claim his place in history as a Premier League goalkeeper.

John O’Shea

Joihn O'Shea replaced Edwin van der Sar for Manchester United in 2007
Joihn O'Shea replaced Edwin van der Sar for Manchester United in 2007

The ultimate utility player, John O'Shea added goalkeeper to the collection of his playing positions against Tottenham in 2007.

Forced into net when Edwin van der Sar departed with a broken nose, United were 4-0 up when the Irishman took the gloves.

But his instincts still came in good use when he denied Robbie Keane with a defender's sliding tackle in the dying moments.

Harry Kane

Harry Kane learned that he should stick to putting the ball in the opposition's net rather than keeping it out of his own.

Kane was enjoying a good night for Tottenham against Asteras Tripolis in the 2014-15 Europa League, bagging a hat-trick, so felt confident enough to stick his hand up for goalkeeping duties when Hugo Lloris was sent off three minutes from time.

He ensured that he will never be asked again after flopping on a free-kick that squirmed under his body and into the corner to earn the Greek visitors a consolation goal.

Tags

Olivier GiroudSerie AAC MilanSheffield UnitedPremier LeagueKyle WalkerManchester CityChampions LeagueChelseaManchester UnitedHarry KaneTottenham HotspurEuropa League
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