Mark Noble has hailed former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Tugay as his inspiration.

Tugay scorer numerous long range goals and a cute pass – something which is becoming more and more a part of the Irons captain’s game.

And talking to Sky Sports noble declared: “When I was a young kid I played against Blackburn, and he taught me an absolute lesson in how to play midfield.

“I was young and arrogant and I thought: ‘Oh he’s got grey hair, I’m going to get in and around him,’ and he had me on a bit of string for 90 minutes. I’ll always tell people about that.

“Obviously I love Steven Gerrard and I think Frank Lampard is one of the best goal-scoring midfielders the country has ever seen, but I’ll have to go with Tugay.”

Noble was talking to SkySports about his all-time XI which he has played against which also featured for Spurs man Luka Modric, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and fellow Hammers academy boy Rio Ferdinand.

His  SkySports One-to-Eleven: Petr Cech Gary Neville Rio Ferdinand Laurent Koscielny Leighton Baines Tugay Paul Scholes Luka Modric Didier Drogba Fernando Torres Wayne Rooney