An ex-Premier League star was in attendance alongside Noel Gallagher for Manchester City’s crucial win over Arsenal
Giorgi Kinkladze was snapped with Oasis icon Noel Gallagher at a Premier League game, leaving supporters astonished by his dramatically different look. The former Manchester City midfielder had returned to English shores to witness his old side take a significant stride in the title battle, with City beating Arsenal 2-1.
Posting the image on X, the Georgian stated: “A few days on, and that win over Arsenal still feels incredible. Games like that show character and what this great club is about. Happy to share this moment with my old friend Noel Gallagher – football, music, and Manchester as it should be. City till we die.”
The upload triggered an outpouring of responses from City fans. One said: “You’re one of City’s greats, Giorgi. Amazing watching you play in City’s colours. Best wishes to you.” Another added: “You are the best I’ve ever seen, Giorgi.”
A third supporter said: “My first hero – what a player you were,” while a fourth noted: “Two legends.” A fifth captured it perfectly in a single word: “Iconic.”
FOLLOW OUR MAN CITY FB PAGE! Follow our Manchester City Mirror Football Facebook page
READ MORE: Man Utd told Man City star could be key to £100m Elliot Anderson transfer battle
Kinkladze enjoyed three campaigns at Maine Road during the mid-90s, establishing himself as a cult favourite during one of the club’s darkest chapters. His mesmerising dribbling ability, weaving individual runs and memorable strikes delivered precious flashes of brilliance.
Gallagher originally described him as ‘either the most frightening thing I’ve ever seen or the best thing I’ve ever seen.’
“I flew up from London to see his debut against Tottenham and sat next to Terry Venables, who was doing some commentary or something,” he previously said when City signed the Georgian. “I watched Kinky for the first time and it was like,’Jesus, this is either the most frightening thing I’ve ever seen or it’s the best thing I’ve ever seen.’ I couldn’t decide which one it was! You’d only get that at City.”
And Gallagher isn’t alone in cherishing memories of Kinkladze. Former City team-mate Chris Greenacre reckons the diminutive midfielder was so talented he represented ‘the nearest thing’ to Argentine icon Diego Maradona.
“Georgi Kinkladze, oh my goodness! The things he could do were simply unbelievable,” Greenacre said. “For those who don’t know him, I’d probably say he was the nearest thing to Maradona in terms of his ability.
“He played with a low centre of gravity and that enabled him to shift his hips quite easily and fly past players. During training he would pass 3 or 4 players easily and leave us all amazed, and he was quite strong for his size (5’9”).
“The players and fans just loved him, his ability to make passes was just phenomenal. He’s quite arguably the best I’ve ever been involved with.”
Man City are now sitting top of the Premier League following their 1-0 victory over Burnley in midweek. Although they’re locked on 70 points with Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s team leads the standings on goal difference.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
