“CLASSY” Alonso to Liverpool, Salah to Saudi? & Reasons for Gerrard woes at Villa | Gary McAllister

Former Leicester, Leeds, Coventry, Liverpool & Scotland midfielder Gary McAllister joined Big Sam and Natalie Pike for the latest episode of No Tippy Tappy Football.

With long-standing ties to the red side of Merseyside and following the huge announcement from Jurgen Klopp, Gary shared his exclusive insight into the current favourite to be Liverpool’s next manager, Xabi Alonso. Gary and Sam also discuss what this may mean for some of Liverpool’s current stars, including Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

Other topics covered include Leeds United’s promotion chances and how Scotland will get on this summer at the Euros…

All of this and more in the latest episode of the No Tippy Tappy Football series, brought to you by William Hill.

Subscribe below for more episode:

00:00 – Intro
01:13 – Gary introduction, talks his first memory of Sam
02:00 – Sam talks playing against Trevor Francis
03:15 – Gary on Bolton days and having beers after matches
04:38 – Gary analyses Leeds United, their current form and Championship play-offs
07:30 – Can Ipswich Town get promoted back to the Premier League after all these years?
08:56 – Gary on deciding not to go Saudi Arabia with Steven Gerrard
10:30 – What’s Gary’s next job?
12:05 – Sam on visit Karl Robinson at Salford City FC and Salford University
15:01 – Jurgen Klopp’s leaving announcement and Liverpool’s future
17:55 – Jude Bellingham’s decision to go to Real Madrid over Liverpool
18:35 – Who’s the next one in line, Xabi Alonso? Roberto De Zerbi?
20:55 – The effect of Jurgen Klopp leaving, is the backroom staff following?
22:15 – Gary’s view on Steven Gerrard taking over Liverpool
24:00 – John McGinn’s leadership at Aston Villa and Scotland
27:40 – Gary believes Mohamed Salah will stay at Liverpool
29:20 – Virgil van Dijk’s progress from Celtic to Southampton to Liverpool
32:31 – Gary previews Scotland’s chances at the 2024 Euros
38:28 – Sam thinks Marcus Rashford is the only one to sort his own situation out
45:15 – Stories of players who enjoyed a glass of wine
50:05 – Michael Beale’s progress at Sunderland
52:10 – Will Steven Gerrard work in the Premier League again?
55:08 – Promotion race at the Championship

Welcome Gary Gary McAllister’s joined us today what you think of Alonzo that’s what he is Le’s played Real Madrid tomorrow night at Ellen Road the leads fans would think they could beat him down man united before he went to J even before that as well everybody these

Days he’s steady on now can Rangers win the League this season Celtics to lose for Scotland Cricket really really well that wouldn’t be hard yeah I mean thank you so much for joining us it’s another episode of no T tackle football brought to you by William Hill

Hi Sam how are you good morning Natalie I’m very well thank you and looking forward to today’s podcast as always I’m super excited to for today’s podcast I get super excited when we have Scottish guests on because it gives me a chance to talk Scotland which I don’t get to do

A lot Sam I’ll join the club here that’s because my parents are Scottish so it’s going to be introducing um should we say a fellow Scot yes let’s do it three let’s say three Scots s so anyway uh trouble welcome Gary Gary McAllister’s joined us today we’re really looking

Forward to uh our podcast and talking over his career and what’s happened of course uh we bumped into each other at leads last season when I took over that dramatic last four games which we didn’t quite crack it but Gary came down and uh enjoyed his company when he was with us

So Gary thanks very much for coming Lov to see you nice to see you Sam nice thank you so much it’s so lovely to have you here so we always like to start by sort of finding out yours and Sam’s history so we know recently that you saw

Each other with leads but what’s can you remember the first time you met Sam worked with Sam played against him what was it it’s the first time the first time I actually saw him live was actually traveled into naum with Lan your school boys I was like just just

Before I was leaving school and Sam was it was at the city ground and it was one of Trevor frances’s first game so that was that was the pool that was like Trevor Francis with the the big signing clu had made but I just I just we were

In the lower stands and very close to the players and there’s this Colossus of a center half kicking lumps out of this million pound player Trevor France and I’m thinking that was so from that day I was like I’ll just keep an eye out for

That all shot I might have had a bit of a mullet then all by the way you had a mullet might have been a bit longer than yeah they’re back in fashion then Sam yeah so well that was my first memory of Sam I love this and Leeds was the most recent

One um how and and obviously Leeds in the championship this season I think they’re sitting fourth at the minute I think right but there’s that kind of gap between the top four and everybody else now how have you rated their season yeah that there have been four or five times

Seen them live watch quite a bit of them on TV they’re they’re they look more comfortable in this Division I thought when Sam arrived it was a real tough job then players were struggling to cope with the levels of the Premier League with four games to go it was it was it

Was it was a task that was going to be very difficult to try and keep leads in the Premier League and I think you know the little bits when you invited me along I didn’t go there to do this big sort of rallying speech Sam quite simply

Asked Eddie grey and I just to walk in and we were just trying to get the impression over that ex players players that have won for Le United were just generally concerned and the love for the club and I think I think we got over to the players the you’re thinking of the

Invite obviously I knew Robbie Ken took there and so it was it was just really nice to go back to the training ground at Thor parch and just to just just note the players for those final four games that you know ex players are generally you know they’re thinking of the present

Day players and they just want them to we just wanted least to stay in the Premier League yeah what was it like when Gary came came in did you did you invite Gary lead well with Eddie gray was stole W and uh then go Sten you know what I

Mean so you know that all what leads means to them you know what I mean it’s I think that uh that that I think we I think the the effect was fine the the bottom line is we just went good enough you know going to going Len Rod

Now you know they’re winning most games they’re a they’re in a good place I think the manager done a fantastic job he’s very good at getting teams out of that Division and I I it’s it’s you know looking at Leicester looks as if they’re going to go and they’re going to they’re

Going to cruise it but then after that it’s really tight I think I think most of thought IPS which are are just going to collapse collapse but they’ve kept going really well Southampton are in a great run so if I was putting money on it I would go for the three that went

Down are going to go back up in the cup lead still in the F cup yeah they drew it the weekend against Pou so they’ve got a replay which which which they don’t really need well I think he s going out the cup but even though it’s by Mage then even the that’s

Interesting I I would I would it would help them well I’m just I’m just be’ be interesting watching I in the next two or three games as much as you know that people I’ll say it’s a blessing that they don’t have any cup they know they don’t have another fixture playing in

The cup but losing to a team in the sixth tier of football how how’s that going to affect confidence if the next result is poor that’s good and then is a we better then it then it might be Panic stations so I I understand that having less fixes will help in the promotion

Push but I think the confidence they’ll have a much smaller Squad than than yeah just coming up from the you know from the the first Division and their finances will be a lot a lot less than the three at the top yeah I mean leads will probably and they’ve par payments

As well treble lips which is wage bill yeah I would have thought you know what I mean so say with the same with Southampton the same with Leicester yeah so but so that means IPS Rich’s Squad will be much much tighter yeah I Ag and I agree with what Gary saying the effect

Of losing against maone but all so he can easily pick up two or three injuries in the FA Cup yeah especially when it goes to replay and especially the fact that in the championship you’re playing 40 the schedule in that Championship 4 as well you know Saturday

Wednesday Saturday then you throw a you know replays and stuff you know and cup you know as you see injuries as well but that they’re so their expect expectation levels are so high if leads played Real Madrid tomorrow night at Ellen Road the lead fans would think they could beat

Them I kind of like that kind of as soon as honestly as soon as that diminishes that’s when a club starts to really go so it’s it’s good to have that better pressure so we always like to find out as well Gary what our guests are up to

Currently so um obviously we know that you were coaching assisting managing um at a few clubs recently Villa the most recent Villa was the most recent with Steven you know we came down from Glasgow after winning the league up there which was amazing and then obviously Steven

Applied for a few jobs in this country and and just just missed out on a few and obviously was very keen to get back into work and and Steven was offered a job in Saudi and asked me to go along but for for me it just it just didn’t

Sit at the right time you know I’ve got two boys who are up and away but I’ve also I’ve got two young girl saw 14 and 12 so so familywise the move to to Saudi just it just didn’t sit right with me and I made this decision not to go and

It’s it’s been tough over there for him it’s it’s been a hard start for Steven but he I speak to him regular he’s enjoying it it’s a massive project he’ll be given an opportun sign a new contract is he yeah yeah it’s like a wee bit on arriving at Rangers where the training

Ground again was needed needed work I Brooks needed work you know recruitment Sports Science nutrition is he’s gone into Saudi and obviously that his knowledge of elite or or operating in one of the best leagues in the world he’s going he’s he’s going to try and

Build it develop it and build it so I think he’s enjoying that but it takes time as well doesn’t happen overnight so what’s the day-to-day life like so for me now I’m enjoying yourself yes Rel I’m doing bits and Bs like this you’ll still want to get back in we somewhere never

Heops the phone rings and come along with me or whatever you know what see over the years I’ve signed deals with BT and sky and saying like that’s it I’m going to just go and concentrate TV a year in you get up pH call oh sorry I

Need to break this I’ve got to go Bron Rogers asked me to go back to Liverpool once had a really good contract with was BT at the time no and then back working with sky and bits and bobs with the television stations and then Steven came and it’s

Like God there’s nothing quite like it’s like that no once you’re on the grass and you’re in in that environment with the with players and the the crack and the B is it’s it’s what we I’m at I’m I’m more ex player than you know Sam’s

Managed over a thousand games but my my experience in football is generally as as as a player I’m more I like to get in the line of more mentoring and just being an older player who can help younger players so M we is if the phone rings if the right opportunity comes or

We could we see you going back in s need to help if HEC there you go got mallister Sammy Lee Robie King Rob he’ll be the greatest tell what you could do a lot you could do a lot worse you could do a lot worse now you’ve led me lovely in

There you mentioned KL Robinson there there was a picture of you yesterday on social media that we saw yeah and you are sat somewhere next to Ryan gigs now I can tell by looking at the picture that that is the back of Carl’s Head because he’s a friend of the show and

He’s been on a few times and obviously people started going but what’s this picture but I’m guessing you were going to see some friends I was seeing Carl and and and I haven’t seen Ryan Ryan for quite a while but I just wanted to see how how it was happening at Salford like

You mean so I was uh I was there for two reasons one see how car’s going on and two I was very interested in um seeing if uh uh what sford you ities like because we’ve actually um developed an app for young players to uh it’s electronic CV if you like so we’re

Trying to trying to promote it’s called Roots actually like you mean so it keeps an it keeps an eye on your career from a youngster right the way through to being professional or Beyond so everybody everybody’s input from uh the coaches from the player himself from the manager manager from

From his studies from his lecturers from the physio whatever so they haven’t got no confusion on on what happens to them whether they stay in football or whether they get and I suppose it’s probably aimed mostly on the lads that don’t quite make it yeah they have a well they

Fall the game they have a perfect CV they walk away with the perfect CV and uh obviously this came about the fact that when it was talked about the LS in Wigan who develop it they actually rugby Lads Andy Clark and Phil Clark the they

Did the the e p you know that’s in football and so uh we’re trying to trying to get off the ground now because every new business is very difficult but uh my grandson got a scholarship in America but it took took his dad three three and a half months to accumulate

What he needed to get the scholarship which was exactly what this app would do Diversified you know how is Carl’s happy our friend of the show really happy about being back in management he’s been chomping at the bit and uh obviously when Paul and Ryan rang him he he went

To meet him and and and he obviously impressed on where they want to go they want he loves his football car’s a football wants to get out of this Division and into been trying to do for years so good luck good luck to him good it was been a

Good start for them two two draws and two wins I think in his first four games so yes hopefully he’ll come back on soon and see us again um so loads going on in football to talk about and do you know what Gary sometimes the Stars just align

And we have you booked way before a big announcement happens at one of your former clubs and it’s perfect that we’ve got it to talk about the big new this is the big news yes the big news you know what like like myself on hearing the news the other day I think like

Everybody in the world of football was I think they properly rocked back onto their heels I was like no that’s a wind up you know cuz it was a couple of texts first and then I see and then then my phone explodes with with messages and and headlines so as surprised as as

Everybody and obviously uh you’re going let the owners know in November so they’ve done amazingly well to keep it under this long and and part of me thinks that the announcement was made because it may have been coming out somebody out yeah I think so again still still but I thought

It was very sincere and very heartfelt the way he spoke you know just and this is something that’s affected Sam over the years as well I can remember you putting heart monitors contested and and was speaking about the LMA and how much they’re concerned about you know manager

Health and mental welfare he’s he’s sort of basically said he’s tired and it’s you know in nine years at Liverpool with the expectation of of what the fans and what you’ve got to do there to be a success he’s done an amazing job he’s he’s he’s brought the club yeah yeah I

Think I think together yeah I think that um his personality is is where he strength is That’s Makes difference you know that’s his man management you know and uh and I think that uh the whole fans and the all of Liverpool fans bought in bought into him

And that’s why I think they’ve been a perfect I think it’s a perfect match as well s the style of play it’s it’s front foot it’s in it’s what what Liverpool fans you know they demand they want to see they want to see players playing for

The Jersey you know and playing for the badge and and he brings that he’s got massive character massive personality as Sam says but he’s but he’s also knows how to recruit and Bing people together and there it takes all sorts to make a good team not only has he built one

Fantastic Team there another one coming there it this one now’s looking at the season now it’s like anything could happen and that’s that’s like four five major big you know midfielders especially where they were looking a little bit laggy and a little bit tired totally refresh that part of the

Pitching and Liverpool are heavily involved in four major competitions as we not not the biggest the Spenders either no it’s all been which is which is which is a burden I yeah today but it’s also I think it’s the experience of the owners the owners are experienced

Sports club Owners right and they and they you know sell to buy and you know it’s they know how to run they know how you run a sports business but I think you get a little frustrated by that yeah like we all would when when you miss out on what might like Bellingham

Yes I mean but that’s a one signing you want or you need for Liverpool yeah would have been a du thought been outstanding for you know what I mean that one player in the future might clinch him the title you know what I mean if if if

Jude bellan decided to come back to the UK it’d be interesting to see where Liverpool were then because as a youngster you know it might been a lifelong dream of of Bellingham to to pull on the white of Real Madrid you know it might be yeah sure so that’s Pro

You know that might be the reason it wasn’t nothing to do with monies or salaries or it’s just the fact that when an opportunity to go to Real Madrid Real Madrid and Liverpool you speak of them in the same sentence but he turned down man united before he went to G even

Before that as well yeah as in everybody these days he’s steady on now yeah so you’re Klo anyway but you’re um I think he’s going to be uh whoever takes the job Javi Alonzo has been heavily tipped for it like you mean not sure not sure he’s the

Answer deser you know they’ve gone get battered Last Night 40 by Lon so it’s you know how your career can change though Gary it’s it’s amazing in because if you’re in the right place at the right time you’ll get the job like I mean and derer is probably in the right

Place because his previous clubs he’s ended up getting sack from five or six seconds yeah you know what I mean so he’s not like he’s not coming with this huge reputation when he arrived here but he’s building a huge reputation by the way he’s playing I think the obvious one

In the book He’s favorite is obviously zabi Alonzo you know he’s obviously you played with him I didn’t play with them I’ve played with them in sort of old old guys games old guys Gam Legends games leg and and and obviously when you when you when you as a player he’s a very

Classy player and you meet him as a guy he’s a he’s a classic he’s always immaculately you know turned out and everything what you think of Alonzo that’s what he is you know he’s very measured preparation he’s he went and did some work at soia dad before he got the lusin

Job and come the end of the season I know he’s very inexperienced but if you can add a Bundesliga to your CV by finishing above by finishing above Bayern and D in the right place the right the thing is Sam I me I think it’s a you know

Elite levels management now you need youth on your side as well it’s because it’s as much as experience and age helps it’s it’s becoming it’s becoming really I think it’s really high pressured and he’s got he’s got age on his side as well but Alli to that that that means

Lack of experience but winning in winning in Germany would be ahead of yeah Munich and Dortmund would be massive please excuse me I just want to stop this episode quickly because big Sam and I just want to say a huge thank you to you for supporting no Tippy tappy

Football whether you are listening or watching or doing both Sam and I absolutely love doing this podcast and we couldn’t do it without you so take a second please and subscribe or follow wherever you are watching or listening to us we’re also on Twitter not to be

Tappy football and we have our own YouTube channel I know everybody says it but it really would mean a lot to us and it means that we can keep getting bigger and better guests the more followers and the more subscribers we have and then you can go and tell all your mates that

You’ve done big summer favor so thank you for listening we’ve had a lovely question in from one of our listeners we always ask every week if our viewers would like to our great subscribers yes our great subscribers to send us questions and they do they send it uh

You can do a comment on a YouTube one of our YouTube videos or you can get us on Twitter or me on Twitter you can ask us a question so Luke Williamson asked should we read anything into the fact that klopp’s staff are also leaving with

Him I think that’s a fashion I think that’s that’s something people stay you’re a team you you know they’ve been through so much together highs and lows but mainly mainly high at that group of of staff and I think that’s a that’s a very that’s a modern thing you know when

Not only when you when a manager moves when he goes to the next Club the likelihood is he’ll take four or five with him he lost one of his trusted right hand men after couple years didn’t he I can’t remember yeah I think there

Was a we bit of a fall out there back to D over overcame that and yeah we not too much difficulty he he pep took pep linder’s moved up and they two have they’ve been they’ve been very good team together Pep’s lost a couple of his

Staff now and he’s it’s not bothered him has it um Lester’s manager yeah yeah and uh artetta and artetta obviously yeah yeah Carl is at Burnley now who was a massive massive I think it’s a massive loss to Man City on what he brings to him yeah you know I know

He’s on Ed and mour and all that but they are massive pay a massive job in your back room staff in terms of looking after players and yeah car’s quite a big team as well doesn’t he he does he does and then he moves he brings he brings

The the entire team as well do you think um Steven Jared’s name should be in the Hat do you think should be being considered um um I think it’s obviously a dream of Stevens obviously to get involved with if he get involved back at Liverpool but

He’s got he’s he’s in a he’s in a big project over in Saudi at the moment and and and I can understand why he’s not been mentioned because he’s he took a journey there but there’s nobody loves Liverpool more than than Steven Gerard if he was still at Villa and and he was

Where they are now yeah it’s like we had he would be we had it was was a wee but unfortunate and and anytime I talk about Villa it sounds as if you we making excuses and and make and and it’s I don’t want it to sound like that but

Luck does and S I’ll tell you luck does play a part we made three big signings on on on Ral the second season you know Diego Carlos from Sevilla bubar kamaro from marsill and lucaa from Everton and obviously when you picking there they were three starters they were going to

Be three players that are going to start and so enable them to come in three are going to go the other way are are are you’re going to you’re going to sort of sit down and have have the conversation that there might be less minutes we don’t necessarily want you to

Go but the circumstances are we’ve got three players coming in and you guys are going to be you might not get the minutes you want and then the three players that we bring in get injured within 10 days of each other you know and and all all three injuries were

Above 3 4 months so it was like gosh so it was it was it just didn’t fall right and we lost we lost two three games in the bounce and and then you you’re no you’re no given time you know it’s it’s and but but it’s not an excuse and it’s

That you don’t want to hide behind that but you need to be better lock talk to me about John mcin while we’re on Villa yes um obviously I want to get on Scotland once we’ve done Liverpool H but John mcin cry hly that was one of the that was a big decision

Step made obviously Tyron Ming was the captain on arrival you know we’re obviously get in there and and and and it’s a it’s a a a fresh slate so to speak and we’re looking and we’re looking at the characters we’re looking we’re just talking about personalities and the people who who command respect

Around the changing room and cantens and around the building with the people who wash the kit and M was the outstanding he was the voice he was fun personality but also very consistent performer you know very robust so when you need a captain who plays most games so we made

The decision or Steven made the decision of of making John John the captain it did affect his performance you know for for a period but now I think he still got that arm band and miam has put the trust in him and he is a captain you

Know and he’s he’s he’s as much as you know the captain of Scotland when he plays for the national team he plays like a captain he’s a leader he’s can score a goal he can make a goal on the eye not as you know not as elegant as

Glenn hodle but very effective he’s and a great guy you know a proper a proper player think robust sir I like that more than that he’s more than that he’s robust by the fact that he he is this the whole of his game but his talent is

I mean man a talent with the fact that he is strong he can run all day he can put his foot in but he’s his ability to to assist and score yeah I think he’s very very good I think when I say robust I mean he doesn’t get injured you know

Or when he’s injured he plays through inj he play through you know a bit of pain I mean he’s robust in the fact that he’s he trains most days you know so I think that’s a big thing when you go when you go to recruit yeah definitely I

Think I think it’s that’s definitely a positive do player yeah yeah toughened but yes you have to pay particular attention to that when the when you’re talking about about when you’re signing a player for the millions that you’re spending now like I mean you look at his

Past record and if he’s not playing it’s very difficult to commit if they’re not playing 35 games a year anything anything under 30 yeah that you look at his record and you got to say you got to say to your Scouts and your owners and

It’s a good play yeah but you do realize he’s on the half a season man and John’s not a young man he so he’s he’s sort of he’s set that level of of of producing and playing games yeah well I love him reminds me of G speed you know that

Yeah little bits there yeah you know never gets injured and down in there all the time level of performance Sam if I honestly over the years of playing alongside God if you’d seen some of the states of his ankles you know prior you know getting into a game on a Friday and

You’re looking be that strap it up take a job it was he was just wanted to go on the pitch just played you know it’s I’m not saying that that’s a that doesn’t happen today it does you know people people are people just want to go on the

Pitch you know after you train all week you want to play but I I’ve seen I’ve seen his his ankles have been black and blue and just strap it up might hurt for two or three days after oh you’ve led me on again to if we’re in injuries now

Um talk to me about Muhammad Salah so both of you um obviously Jurgen leav the problem about the fact that he got injured over in the African na no no I was thinking more about his future so Jurgen leaving come the end of the season obviously I’m sure Saudi Arabia

Will be offering him lots and lots of money do you think that Salah will stay with Liverpool I think I think he’ll definitely stay I’ve got to say I just cannot no I no I just think he’ll stay I just think he’s get far too much in his

Locker to be thinking about going and playing in that in the league which is obviously not at the level where they wanted Saudis wanted to be but you know Liverpool you know as we speak right now they’re you know we don’t know what what they’re going to end up with at the end

Of the season why would you want to leave if you actually win a double or if you even if you win one Trophy winning trophies is hard the other thing is I just think he levels he’s still wants to be playing at Elite level I don’t think

He needs to drop he can go there maybe two or three years time but I think I think most Sal especially his form this year and again really surprised to see him come off a pitch very R picks up injuries see obviously trains comes off shaking his head when he want

Come off going what you doing again tiing me off so again it’s you know they’re in Europa League you would have to say Liverpool are favorites to win the Europa League and that gets Champions League qualification they they’re they’re top of the league as we speak so it’s the champions league is

Looking good for next year for Liverpool and that’s what that’s what Salah wants to be I don’t think he he can do the other bits later on there’s questions about his future and also I’ve seen people question about van dijk’s future as as well do you think he stays Beyond

Jurgen well he’s come out and said it’s just a load of nonsense and I think that you get all of that like you mean um but the there is one question mark where when Jurgen kept it quiet or how quiet it were kept I don’t know where it was

Shared but only at the top I would have thought in the beginning the club had an opportunity to ride in and sort contracts there and then if somebody wants to leave now because you’re leaving that could be a possibility my feeling I’m not saying it’s I’m not saying it’s going to be him

That could be anybody that’s in in a in a contract that’s that’s going to run out in in the next or next season and say well I’ll ride it out now and get freey where I go but obviously will they get any better than playing for Liverpool and Captain in Liverpool yeah

You know and and and Liverpool you know when we had that bad knee injury he came back and he was so good was the beginning took a while to get back into he’s R them but now you’re seeing you’re seeing that Rolls Royce Liverpool made

Him a much better player yeah I mean oh I was at West Ham and played against him when he was when he was at um Southampton and there was always a bit of a there’s always a bit of a RI Sam there was a big because I you know see I

Watched Celtic quite a lot the season he was up at Celtic you know doing the TV and he was he was way above the levels there but but but the thing up at Celtic he was outstanding in the European games you know and I was I was really surprised that

You know Liverpool then or Arsenal or Manchester United or even everybody looked at them and it was only South it was Southampton so so making that move Celtic to Southampton then gave him the opportunity to get the big the big move but the teams just wanted to see him play in the Premier

League so at Liverpool there’s um apparently there’s a rumor or the fan the fans have said there’s been a rumor Gary that Jurgen calls Alexis mallister Gary have you heard this I have heard it I must be quite have you heard ygen say it you just heard the rumor I’ve heard

I’ve heard I’ve heard the rumor I did I did I when I was working at villain we played then at when when when Alexis was at H Brighton I sort of we just passed and he stopped and he looked at me and I went where’s where is the connection

It’s like I don’t think he come there is a lot of Heritage in in Argentina there’s a lot of Scots who went there is obviously I think mining was the big thing way back in hundreds and hundreds of years ago and they took the expertise of Scottish miners so there I think

There is something a way back in there we could get say that he’s won a World Cup medal know I know why be is is that is is his the back end of his family is the Scottish connecton with that name no idea furiously Googled it when I noticed

Him played in the Premier League to see if he was Scottish or not has MC meanss is M Small C A and MC a1l is Scottish my mallister I think is is Irish but mallister MEC I don’t know where that originates from great compliment though yes great compliment

World Cup winner yes a World Cup winner who I wish was Scottish and was playing um at the Euros the Euros to the lovely Euros um I’m very excited very excited for the Euros going into it feeling really optimistic which I don’t think I’ve ever done well Steve Clark you know

When when you see Steve on the TV just never changes you know so whenever he’s qualified for this is his second Euros now it is yeah and it’s you know we were a long time missing I’ve got to say you know I was unbelievably fortunate to

Play in two Euros EUR 92 and EUR 96 and I’ve got to say Scotland add to a major championship just purely because you know I’m not that’s being biased when the fans turn I can remember Euro 92 when it was only eight teams it was two

Groups of four and we were it was in Sweden and I can remember Andy roxor thought right we we’ll go and see the fans we drove into this campsite because Sweden’s pretty expensive so it was a tented Village and it was it was early in the morning and you could all these

Scots guys coming out Kilts and it was like they were bladdered from the night before and you can see them looking as that’s the team that’s the national team boss and and they couldn’t believe they seen mccoist and golf and gorm it was it was to see the faces on these all these

Big big bearded Scotch guys we killed so it was it was outstanding but Scotland when they when Scotland in a in a major championship I think they do add but this this one in particular it’s when I look at the group as much as we’re we’re

In the same group as the hosts and we play them in the opening game but Hungary and Switzerland I think we can I think we can beat them because we’ve never we’ve never qualified at the grip stages I saww be brilliant for Steve Clark if we could do that saw never ever

We’ve got we’ve been a lot of maor even with the great light when you think of all those think 78 was soon as McQueen Jordan ASA Hartford Arie gel and then that St sunus Nicholas to be fair the one that obviously the one that kills me I missed

The penalty in at Wembley against England but we were we were beating Switzerland at Villa Park and England were 4-n up against Holland which meant we were through and then theyve seing get beat at the near post by cver in the last minute to make it 4-1 and we and we

Didn’t fif five through goals difference oh winded absolutely wounded when the draw was made I I had to sort of like take a moment because I was I thought I fancy Us in this group but I also don’t really know why because they’re other they’re you know they’re great they

Germany a great team they’re good teams like Germany are going through that I think I think if Germany were picking a team to open up to play against I think Scotland would be the one that wouldn’t want to play we’re good underdogs and the pressure will be on Germany yeah the

The the national teams they’ve struggled they’re not quite as good as they were no they’re not they’re not performing at all so maybe an upset in the opening game of the tournament would be it’ be typical of Scotland yes it really then not to blow it after it and then we blow

It they get all our ropes up Gary and then get beat by Switzerland and I’m desperate I’m really hoping to be there I’m really hoping to take my dad my dad doesn’t fly so I really want to take him on the train just to experience no I’m

The same I fancy getting a better of the tournament I i’ I’m going to go see everybody everybody’s going to PR everybody’s going to pray on the the fatigue and injury scenario for the squad like I mean because Scotland won’t have the greatest selection of I mean England haven’t got the greatest

Selection of English players anymore I would say is when when I look at when all fit when I look at our Squad it’s like when you’re a midfielder your eyes is drawn in the middle of the par you’re a Defender you look at the you look at

Back lines and stuff but I look at our team and I think our strength is the middle of the park and I think when you go to a major tournament because of it’s end of season and fatigue kick can kick in you’ve got to have the ability to try

And keep the ball in periods of the game especially if it’s hot in Germany can be hot yeah so when I look we’ve got McGregor at Celtic we’ve got mcin we’ve got Billy Gilmore we’ve got MC Tomy Kenny McLean got five or six you know you don’t put them in the

World clap but they’re very competent international players and they’re good footballers and Steve Clark has sort of garnished this sort of domestic team sort of Ambience when when the national team comes together there was a big period when nobody turned up you know players didn’t want to play for their

Country all of a sudden everybody’s turning off everybody wants to be there and that it and he’s created something it’s very it just look I I don’t know I’ve not been to any of the camps or anything but from the outside looking in is very much what Craig the team that I

Played in in that generation because we did in 1992 96 98 we BT like Craig Brown you know getting people together we bit more like a club side rather than being isolated and coming in from other clubs my dad when I was growing up one of my

Strongest memories he had a t-shirt that said five in a row yeah that he used to wear and he was so proud that we qualified for five in a row and then obviously we went then went a long time years or something yeah another big story that’s been in

The news this week where always like to tackle them Sam um and do you know what I feel like we’ve talked about Marcus rashford a lot on on our pods this season and then this weird thing happened at the weekend so he was Ill but then he’s there’s pictures of him

Having it’s fair to call it a bender in in Belfast what do you make of the stories and what he’s done and how he’s how ten has handled it it’s just weird to me Sam well is it fake news is is it genu genuinely done before I read an

Article on this this this morning and about the fact that he’d gone down to China whites down in London yeah that was his that the one previously to this where he’s ended up missing training or something like that like I mean so there’s previous that that’s sneak

Sneaking into his his his life Again Sam you and I can we can safely say you know we’re No Angels here you know but there is a time in a place you know there’s a time in a place to let your hair done and and and have a few drinks or or or

Bey your mates but it’s when you’re elite elite doesn’t it doesn’t even matter if you play in the third or fourth division there’s still a time in a place and it’s just bad timing bad timing because he’s not played particularly well this season and just

Just when you look at the date you know the hours before the next game you can’t do it it’s just it’s it’s unacceptable you can’t of do it absolutely yeah there’s no there’s no I mean it’s hard to there were one or two players in our time that were that so talented they

Could because we didn’t have the sports science we have today they didn’t have the monitoring we have today we didn’t have the stats we have today we didn’t have the diet nutrition didn’t have the fluids didn’t but it still didn’t make it right then make it right then no but

Like you know no accepting but it was happened more you know we saw later on bie and Tony Adams and we could learn from you know you know would actually admitted that they played drunk and that like you mean which was you know drinking culture was big in that time

But now and and of of course everybody you know looking at the situation and looking at 10 it’s the last thing he needs yeah and it’s a it’s not the first time and of course worse for Marcus rashford uh in his own um his own life

Needs to look at himself in the mirror and sort himself out nobody else can sort himself out only him he’s got to be the thing is a focused and fit rashford is top isn’t he he’s whether whether he plays whether he plays as a nine or

Whether he goes to the side and plays either side of a nine but when he’s when he’s at it there there’s no better sight you know he looks he’s a proper real threat he can score goals he’s proved that he can score goals and and we’re

You get into a summer where there’s a major championship you know you’re looking at Anthony Gordon and players that they’re going to jump they’re going to jump him and it’s he’ll he’ll lose that slot people are say a questioning tenh because obviously he clamped down really well on Ronaldo and

Then he he took really Stern action with Sancho do you think he needs to be Sterner now with I mean you know listen he’s that’s old school management you know the president I mean set pres what he did what he did with Ronaldo was was was one of his biggest challenges at Man

United and and on the fact on the effect of all the other players seem to work on the basis that but still Manchester United’s problem is recruitment on the fact that the players they’ve recruited aren’t aren’t showing the level of ability they thought they might he thought they might to play for

Manchester United and get them back to the top but then I got this problem because I’ve seen it before get the new contract when you’re in the last year of your contract play your very very best and then get the big the big big contract and then switch off

And that’s what it looks like he’s done not only is this discipline side his performance is way down yeah no I agree compared to I mean there’s no argument against that that’s fact isn’t it it’s fact it’s like it’s just not it is frustrating because he’s

A it’s it’s it’s his Club he’s been brought up since don’t know how long he’s been there he’s his whole life I mean he’s had all this publicity about great stuff for child children’s Food Co and you know going down to to see the the queen

Or the king or whatever it is at the time and then all that is being brushed aside all that good work and chable work he’s done he’s now looking at at everybody’s you’ll be looking at in him like especially United fans going you know you’re letting yourself down you’re

Letting the club down you’re letting your family down yeah so he you know even though his reputation playing wise suffered a bit and people started saying he’s spending too much time on this subject of child School meals being free and stuff like that it’s distracted from certainly last

Year and was that because it was the last year of his contract yeah because we’ve seen other players when he’s been interviewed when he’s been interviewed as a younger he always he’s always looked as if he’s been pretty humbl and you know all that wonderful work that

He’s done away from football you think oh it’s a proper solid you know person here but so you just hope behind I just hope he’s apologized to to his teammates and apologize to this to all the coaching staff yeah because he’s got to put his hand up and go I’ve made a bad

Error here in either of your coaching and your management times did you ever have a player turn up late and then oh Lords of them but then did you did you find out after that he cuz he’d been out Lord Lords of them Lords of them what

Did you do could he tell us that he depends who it is and what it is because I I’m I’m the opposite to what people might think like it I won’t cut my nose off to spite me face so I’ll tell you one I’ll tell you one story about juy

And um the likable Rogue and Bey and uh he went out on he went out and started on a Friday night I think it was one and anyway we found out that just before a game and that staff staff are saying like you know jy’s been out ju

What do you do and I spoke to Jeffy and he swore he hadn’t been out and they said well there’s only one people drinks L on the chrisal and that’s you m as only you can afford it like me yeah so he was that he was that generous he used

To have all these angers on yeah that would be with him and he’d buy them all drinks and but anyway so I said I I said I’ll play you anyway so obviously I played him against the staff saying you can’t do that like you mean that’s I

Said look you’re going to be in big trouble if you don’t turn up today anyway played really well Wonder game without throwing anybody mean Sam SE generally the guy the guy over there you know that’s I’m going back a bit there and very reluctant to name names but generally

The guys that did it produced if if if it was the following day was a training or maybe a couple of days away from a from a big game or any game when they’ve done the misdemeanor they would be leading the training the following day and mark my words at the

Weekend they’d be properly at it because all their teammates would be thinking you need to produce you cuz you’ve let us done a little bit there there’s a drink and then there’s too many drinks so so we go down the line the Brits go down the line you can’t

Yeah right so I’ve got Campo yo right in the AEL at Bon after training on a Friday both having a couple of beers yeah they think nothing of having a glass ofid glass wine yeah Yuri Yuri you know man having a glass of wine and with Fabian bz like I

Mean for them and they’re going what what you can’t do it here somebody spots you takes a picture of it it’s like you know brownie that told was it Phil Brown that told us that he busted we had somebody that said they found out that one of their players used to order beers

To the room to the room the night before in a away game yes you know so you know it it will it will always happen but if it’s going to out make sure you don’t get caught in public or don’t don’t let the manager know I think God God bless

Them Andy Andy Goram was an amazing car brilliant goalkeeper he was what a goalie for for these b as he was unbelievable and I think we we were we I don’t know if you can remember but Estonia didn’t turn up for a game in Estonia and and we turned up kicked the

Game off but then the game had to be replayed the game had to be replayed and a neutral ground which played in Monaco and the night before the game there’s a room service order goes up it’s double cheeseburger a bottle of red and obviously John played for Monaco

So he knew it was the hotel that Monaco used so he knew all the staff and they like John John last night cheeseburger and cheeseburger and red he went you don’t have to tell me who that was his normal Friday night before the game a double cheeseburger he

Came out retirement play for me at not County he was he was a freak of unbelievable yeah what a goalkeeper I got a goalie and he just scamping around like this not County and yeah I come play for yourself how old is he his 30s then well his 30s

He was late and he he had played for a while like you mean but he put his gloves on and played for me and that was fantastic to actually put himself through that we were in the the old you know you know the UNICEF you know the UN

Sam the UNICEF game went soccer ra soccer raid yeah I think the rest of the world were looking for a a practice match prior to playing England or the the celebrities or whatever so I got a phone call saying could Scotland come to London play craving Cottage

Against the rest need a warm-up so I gets on the phone gets everybody we need to be staying here we need to be booked in here and then we’ll come down so we get there and it’s hulet Zola M Matas everybody’s playing for the rest of and

They batter us but we win 3-0 gorum must have made yeah 25 world class saves and obviously he wasn’t well that well known he played played at Rangers so it was like a a league where he didn’t have the profile of some of the other guys remember Z and

Hul who’s that just you know those big leg bra those big strapping he two them on he was Mak all was bending him in the top corner and he was making these saves he was he was he was an amazing goalkeeper best he’s I should see him in Ben is’s in Red

Cliff he with the the nightclub of all nightclubs in the Northwest by the way if you want any to see anybody go to Ben yeah Radcliff yeah drove down this Lan fact soester honestly it was absolutely full every Saturday night like it’s all God knows what in the morning like but we

All off to rad you’d see Andy there like he’s playing for old him then W he yeah when he first started like to me this but mean man city man united in the season party Cricket maybe really well that wouldn’t be hard though yeah I

Mean can you throw a ball yes you’re in um right we always finish with our Noto quickfire questions Gary so another listener question Elliot on YouTube has asked your thoughts on Michael Beal after working with him at Rangers um he is feeling a bit of pressure already

It’s from theand well he’s he’s he’s comfortably in the playoffs slots and that’s what Michael be be telling the sunnd fans I think he he did against him what well I think when Tony mry getting getting fired I think fans they didn’t like that and so he’s arrived under a

Little bit of pressure um as far as coaching Michaels up there’s he’s one of the one of the very best I’ve worked with you know we we worked together rangers went to villain he chose to leave Steven and and go so that it we sort of went apart a little bit and

Things have not really come back together so it’s just just the manner of the way the the split happened um but coaching wise I’d have to reassure the Sunderland fans that he’s he’s on the grass he’s as good as anybody I’ve I’ve seen Michael bail you know him followed him work I don’t

Know him that young modern coach in the so it’s like it’s like everything else like you mean at the end of the day the way you win them that win the fans over and the players over is is’s getting results on keeping going but if you’re

If you’re if you’re taking over a side that’s already winning yeah it’s it’s another it’s another difficult task because you’ve got everybody talking about why I mean a bit like Wayne taking over Birmingham they were going was he top six yeah yeah everybody goes but Tony was Tony

Mry was a favorite wasn’t it I think I think because Tony Tony’s teams play with a bit of style and a bit of flare and I think Sunderland was a was a young team and he was given youngsters opportunity and and even I’ve heard loads of Sunderland fans com on radios

On TV and saying even when they get beat they were you know were the way that the youngsters were encouraged to try and play was was enough but Su need to get up it’s a big Club it wants to ambition as well right next quick fire question

Will step Gerard work in the Premier League again well for me I hope so absolutely absolutely you know it’s hard to get I I I’d say I would say it’s made his chances more difficult going to Saudi I say I’d say taking a championship Club doing maybe the root back home

Would be take it you know get the opportunity maybe work in Spain or France or Italy yeah maybe yeah to make to make a pit stop if he wins if he wins in Saturday then is obviously that you’re you’re a winner I he’s a winner all ends

Up took on Chelsea Celtic didn’t he and you know were the big were the the local Rivals were also doing very well that particular I think if Steven Steven needs to break I think there’s a top four in Saudi and I think the team that Steven

Atifa A team that finished sort of six seven and eth so he’s he’s got to beat that and then he’s actually got to try and break this a we B like here the top four or the big six I think that’s that’s I think that was the job brief

That he’s got to try and break into that over in over in Saudi I I would I would love to see him back here yeah I’m sure he’d love to be back and uh and and be in well there’s not a lot wrong with being in the championship and getting

Them up there one see more nothing there’s not a greater feeling than actually achieving promotion at the championship into the Premier League and I don’t it’s I mean a a little bit biased here but but don’t underestimate what he did at Rangers because Rangers difficult clubs in the planet to to

Manage because of the the situation there with with Celtic and you’re taking on Brendan at the time wer he yeah who was m to no lose W they well they were they were in seven in a row so the job obviously the the both teams have done

Nine in a row and and stopping 10 in a row was big and he managed it it would be for the fans definitely can Rangers win the League this season five points behind you know what watching it quite closely yeah it’s it’s getting interesting at the top of the top of the

Table it’s it’s it’s Celtics to lose but I think Philipe clont went in and done a fantastic job I played with Philip actually played alongside him at Coventry came oh right did you yeah okay yeah he get injured very early on arrival and didn’t he play many games

But you know quite a calm guy and and just watching him you know actually deal with the Scottish press and he’s he’s he’s he looks very much in control and the team’s playing good football and he’s in a great run so it’s it’s game on

It’s game on at the top I think there’s a is it March the next old F they see it these are quick again aren’t they yeah I think I think obviously I’m going to say yes they can yes of course you are okay which two teams will get promoted automatically from the

Championship Leicester definitely Leicester think everyone’s yes I think Les I’d actually I’d actually like to see I switch do it but I think it’s going to be Southampton I think I think Leeds I think Le I think Leeds can catch sou and jump and get I think Leeds can get

Second but I’m saying that purely because I’m a we bit fearful leads get into a playoff final okay so I’d like to might be heart talking yeah I just want leads to go up automatically okay and it let Southampton win the playoff so the three the three them went down are the

Three that go up will your former Club comentry get into the playoffs do you think M Robins has done he’s done quietly just get On’s job no big headlines just just wins games no budget lose they lose their best player generally after each season look where

They’ve come from as well in the last four four season no stadiums playing at other people’s stadiums begging what your job is done and my last question for you today how far or what is your prediction for Scotland in in the Euros like every Scotsman if we can go

There and and cause an upset in the the first game would be brilliant but to get out the group it’ be such an achievement no other manager or national team’s done it to get out the group and get get get beyond that would be outstanding got to

Do a Wales like Chris Coleman did yes that’d be great yeah oh there’d be a few jcks going over if they qualified no yeah I’ll just go you’ve ever got tickets just for the party just yeah the whole of Scotland will be in just watch it oh gosh stop your beer up

In the PS oh oh good old tingly thank you so much for coming on and being with us today it’s been a real pleasure thanks G great much thank you thank you Sam as always thank you all watch I’m sorry for interrupting no no you you remember I

Have to say because I really need our subscribers to keep keep uh joining us for uh for our podcast and keep showing that uh we’re doing okay and we’re really really enjoying it and I hope you are and thanks very much because we want

To go to the Euros don’t we s we want to take the Pod to the Euros I don’t think we’re allowed to say that but that’s what we want to do so we need you all to subscribe so Sam and I can go and I can

Get in the Scottish party well I can get a ticket yes Gary can come along as well a tiet Gary can come so please subscribe thank you very much we’ll see you next [Applause] week