I’D TAKE KELLY OUT IN HER PRAM . . . SHE WAS MY WING MAN!
That’s a great shot, isn’t it? What are you there, three?
I must be. I have a vague memory of it being taken.
Your mum and dad were having some pictures done. I happened to be there and we did one. What a great photo. You were around a lot. I was. Kenny and I roomed together for 10 years or more with Liverpool and Scotland and I was a regular at his place. I was single and would turn up for Christmas lunch. I used to babysit — or not necessarily babysit. I’d volunteer to take out Kelly in her pram in the afternoons. She would, how can I put this the correct way . . . ? I was your wing man. Yes. Without realising it, she was my introduction to some lovely young ladies. I’d be walking along and then, ‘What a gorgeous baby, you seen this baby?’
It is really strange how life works, isn’t it? Kelly has been fantastic. She is fantastic at this job because she has been in a football house all her life, listened to the daft chat on football from all of us since she was tiny. I’d be in the living room, Alan Hansen would be in there, opinions going out all over. She had a great insight into how this football world works. Let me answer that, please. Kenny was never allowed to be famous with his wife Marina.
(laughing): Not a chance. When he was home he was just dad. I remember going to a Rod Stewart concert at Ibrox once and him being stopped every 10 metres walking around the pitch. I was about seven and found it so weird, like, ‘What do they want with him?’ It was the same with his teammates — to me they were always just dad’s friends, sitting around arguing about football.
I’m sorry to cut in again. I must have had 500 arguments with Kenny and haven’t won one. The only one who gets the last word with him is his wife. I’d think I win most of mine but not with him. He was the shop steward at Liverpool. In the dressing room we’s have to vote on something and 16 would vote for it and one would say he wasn’t sure — him. He’d examine everything before agreeing.
I cannot make that comparison except that they are both very, very good at their jobs. I have not seen her upset or lose her temper. I don’t look at Kelly and see her dad — I see her mum. I would have resigned long ago otherwise! I’m more like my mum anyway. Good, well done. (laughing): To be honest, yes, because he talks a lot of sense. Anyway, I grew up with someone who is quite firm in his opinions. I’m Mr Easy Going by comparison. You had the reputation on the pitch but it was only because you were doing his dirty work for him. Believe me, he could look after himself — and others. Generally, you and I see eye to eye on a lot of things in football. And it’s always great to hear you talking about football. If I was talking a load of old nuts, I’d expect her to say something. But you don’t. You think similarly to dad, I’d say. Our thinking was the same, her dad and I, and she has been around that all her life. Dad, I would think. I agree.
We have two very special teams and four or five very good teams and the Premier League is a fantastic watch most of the time. Right now it looks like a two-horse race but nothing is won in December.
It’s looking interesting right now, especially with Liverpool going top. But as Graeme said, there’s a long way to go.
Mo Salah is looking very sharp. They seem to have taken a big step.
Right now they are playing fabulous football. There has been an improvement — they made a quantum leap with a new goalkeeper and centre half. They are ready to challenge. Klopp still has to win stuff, and he knows that, but he now has a lot of goodwill and so he should. Their football can get me on the edge of my seat.
He is fabulous but it’s only his second year. Come back in five years. When you talk about those Liverpool greats, they had players who won everything. Some great team men, great goalscorers, longevity. This is only Salah’s second season but I do believe he has the potential to be in that category.
If I could take one it would be Eden Hazard. I think Salah will be a better goalscorer but in terms of all-round play (Hazard). I wouldn’t answer that. I’ll be a diplomat there. No. He wouldn’t have answered any of them!