REVEALED: Mark Schwarzer's SHINPADS are older than Atletico rival Thibaut Courtois #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @myentertain9jar

WHEN Petr Cech was injured during the first leg of the Champions League semi-final last week much was made of the fact that Chelsea had to bring on 40-year-old Mark Schwarzer while on-loan Thibaut Courtois continued in goal for Atletico Madrid.

Mark Schwarzer is the oldest player to feature in the Champions League knockout stages[GETTY]

Schwarzer became the oldest player ever to play in the Champions League knockout stages when he replaced Cech and has been given another chance to start in the return leg.

But if further proof was needed as to just how old Schwarzer is, it can be found from an unusual source - the Australian's shinpads.

Indeed, Schwarzer is still wearing shinpads he has used since his time with Sydney's Marconi Stallions as a 19-year-old.

That was back in 1990, a full two years before Courtois - his opposite number in the first leg and the man who looks likely to replace Schwarzer as the main competition to Cech next season at Stamford Bridge - was even born.

Speaking to the Australian media in 2009, Schwarzer explained: "I still wear the very same pair.

 

Petr Cech dislocated his shoulder in the first leg [GETTY]

They've come this far, why not go to the end?

Mark Schwarzer

"People say it's superstitious. I suppose you could look at it as being superstitious, but for me it's never actually a superstitious thing.

"The longer it's gone on, it's become more of a case that I wanted to continue on and I wanted to end my career with them. They've come this far, why not go to the end?"

With Cech out injured it now seems a distinct possibility that 'the end' could come in a Champions League final.

For that to happen Chelsea would need to get past Atletico in the return leg on Wednesday night.

But one thing you can be sure of is that neither Schwarzer nor his shinpads will be overawed - after all they've both seen it all before.