The Big Interview With Graham Hunter

This is our third and final instalment in our mini series on maverick footballers - the guys who have created so many happy memories for all us football fans. If you’re into Celtic then you will probably never forget some of the special moments Shunsuke Nakamura gave to you. In this clip show, Gordon Strachan talks about all the work behind the scenes which caused that magic. Similarly, Evertonians adore Duncan Ferguson, and David Moyes explains what the big Number 9 had to offer on his return to Goodison. Also, if you are an Ipswich fan of a certain vintage, the name of Kevin Beattie may take your breath away. He is a unique character in English football and Terry Butcher describes how his former team-mate could have been one of the all-time greats on the pitch… and the running track. Finally, Tino Asprilla has often been accused of costing Newcastle United the Premier League title under Kevin Keegan. But Peter Beardsley delivers a retort in this podcast. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for priv

At the end of our live Big Interview with Alex McLeish, the former Scotland manager was gracious enough to stick around and answer questions from the audience, and we bring you that Q&A here as a special bonus feature. Alex tells the story of Alex Ferguson’s attempt to orchestrate a move to bring the defender from Aberdeen to Old Trafford, and how the Manchester United manager had a hand in discouraging bids from other English clubs. Ferguson was also aware of the importance of fitness and Alex explains how that manifest during his time at Aberdeen, as well as giving his own views on the importance of recruiting experts to help ensure players at the their physical peak. And he talks about his decision to step down as Scotland manager and what lies ahead in his career, while also telling one of the greatest anecdotes you’re likely to hear: when Socrates showed Gordon Strachan how a Brazilian takes a drugs test. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We recorded this Big Interview with Alex McLeish live during the Aye Write book festival in Glasgow and, in part two, we leaf through the chapter of his management career marked player recruitment. We learn how close Alex came to bringing a certain Andres Iniesta to Rangers on loan, and the repercussions his enquiry had at the Camp Nou. Alex also explains how he was urged by his sons to sign Lionel Messi after they discovered the teenage prodigy while playing Football Manager. His time in charge at Ibrox taught Alex a great deal about signing players, something which he did not find easy to do at Birmingham City, where he worked under owners who required “sugar” when it came to agreeing transfers. Alex also reveals his passion for film - from sneaking into a cinema to watch Clockwork Orange at the age of 12, to being invited by Irvine Welsh to attend the world premiere of Trainspotting 2. Choose life. Choose to listen to this Big Interview. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out

It was a great privilege to have Alex McLeish, a real hero of mine, as the guest for the second ever live Big Interview, which we recorded at the Aye Write book festival in Glasgow. It was also my good fortune for the event to fall the day after Barcelona pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in football history - wiping out a 4-0 first-leg defeat by winning 6-1 at the Camp Nou in a truly incredible Champions League match. I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to ask Alex to give his take on that game for the first part of this podcast and uncover what it is that allows the best players to win, and keep winning. Alex then took us back to his formative years as a footballer; the constructive criticism from his father, playing games constantly at a local field and, later, training with his Aberdeen team-mates in the car park opposite Pittodrie. The Dons, of course, feature heavily in this interview and Alex talks about the success he enjoyed at the club, including how they got the better of Bayern...

Johan Cruyff is the single most important man in the history of professional football; as a player, coach, director of football, thinker, philosopher, nobody come else comes close. His influence spans generations and is responsible for the era-defining football which I have been watching at the Camp Nou over the past decade. We have dedicated our latest clip show to the memory of this football icon, with David Moyes and Charlie Nicholas both featuring in a little section we call ‘the mystery of Cruyff’s shirt’. That detective story is set in the 1982 European Cup and a tie between Celtic and Ajax, after which David and Charlie each think they have the great Cruyff’s jersey. But who really got their hands on the prized shirt? And there is Jody Morris, who we spoke to on the day that Cruyff passed away. It was an emotional 24 hours, Jody giving an eloquent account of how the Dutchman had influenced his football philosophy. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Peter Crouch is a footballer I genuinely love to see out on the pitch. He plays with a technical ability and a sense of fun which is always a joy to watch. But don’t just take my word for it. A young Pep Guardiola - before he became the Pep Guardiola - also saw something special in Peter and wrote a sort of love letter to the striker in 2006; referencing his skill, his awareness and his desire to play for the team. Peter really does have so much more than a good touch for a big man. In this Big Interview we discover a childhood spent learning the game under the Coerver Method, perfecting skills named after the players who made them famous. His appetite for practice and repetition has also allowed him to score some truly remarkable goals during his career - and Peter recalls some of his best strikes. He also reveals an admiration for Italian football, an ambition to play abroad and, of course, Peter explains the ‘Stoke effect’ - what it is and why it unnerves teams like Arsenal so much. Enjoy!  

You’ll all have your opinions on how our guests would rank in terms of footballing ability in their prime. I happen to think that we have talked to some who are hall of famers in any company but, occasionally, a name will come up which causes them to draw breath. This collection is dedicated to the moments when we got to talk about one of the all-time greats, sometimes with someone who had a unique angle from which to examine those special talents. Graeme Souness and Peter Beardsley talk about Lionel Messi, as does Gary Neville - a man whose job it is to find new ways to describe what it is that this genius does. Paul Clement worked closely with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid and provides an insight into the work ethic of the Portuguese, while Harry Redknapp recalls how Gareth Bale was transformed into an international superstar. Darren Fletcher then talks about Wayne Rooney, while Kevin Bridges and Charlie Nicholas discuss two Celtic greats, Henrik Larsson and Danny McGrain, respectively. Joe Jordan...

Chris Sutton had the pick of every top team in England in 1994, but it was upwardly mobile Blackburn Rovers that took him from Norwich for a British record transfer fee of £5 million. What happened next would become one of the most epic tales in Premier League history. Paired with Alan Shearer in the famous SAS partnership, Chris helped Blackburn win the 1994/95 league title ahead of Manchester United. Here, Chris breaks down the twists and turns of that dramatic campaign; Shearer’s ruthlessness in front of goal; and Kenny Dalglish’s unshakeable confidence when the squad looked as though they might throw it all away. Chris also discusses the character in that Blackburn side - a team which included Tim Sherwood, Graeme Le Saux and Tim Flowers - which dragged them over the line eventually. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If things had turned out a little differently for Chris Sutton, he would have ended up pushing pens and paperclips at Norfolk County Council instead of terrorising defenders in Scotland and England for over a decade. Chris uses the word “character” a lot and, in this Big Interview, we explore how his was forged - from an initial rejection from Norwich City to his dad’s boot camp approach to physical fitness. We also discuss his experiences as a promising young cricketer and his particularly uncompromising youth team coach at Norwich. There are stories about Sri Lankan cricketer Ravi Pushpakumara and Andy Theodosiou’s brutal tackles. Chris also explains how to mark Alan Shearer as a centre-half and why he would not want Efan Ekoku in his five-a-side team. This is a side to Chris Sutton that not many people have heard before. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This compilation show is about how teams bond - a key element of almost every winning side that I’ve reported on and one which, I think, sometimes gets overlooked. We do not start on the pitch but in the studio, as Charlie Nicholas tells us that Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday show depends on camaraderie as much as any dressing room he was a part of. We also go sheep herding with Eddie Howe and play video games with Havoc, better known as Michael Carrick. Gordon Strachan explains that the team that wins together does not necessarily have to drink together, while Michael O’Neill describes how he created the team spirit in his Northern Ireland squad. And there is Peter Beardsley, who takes us to the race course as he relives an unconventional warm up routine ahead of an FA Cup match. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark Noble grew up with a football field for a back garden. Or at least he did once his dad had a secret gate installed behind the house, so that Mark could take a ball and sneak on to the grounds of a school. It was not too long before he was stepping out at Upton Park. Or should that be the Boleyn Ground? Either way, in Part Two of his Big Interview, Mark talks about that famous old stadium and the final game there, against Manchester United under the lights. Mark has kept a photograph from that night - a picture of the West Ham fans looking on as he shields the ball to help see out the game. He remains connected to his support, his community, and Mark talks eloquently about the social housing projects being undertaken by the Legacy Foundation, which he founded alongside two other London boys: Bobby Zamora and Rio Ferdinand. Mark is a good footballer and a good man. And this is a great Big Interview. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark Noble is West Ham through and through, a true Hammer forged in Canning Town. But in this Big Interview you will discover that his views resonate far beyond the boundaries of London. He shows composure when put on the spot about his prowess as a penalty-taker - which is hardly surprising given that he once scored two in an epic shootout against the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championships. That was in 2007 and since then Mark has established himself as a Premier League footballer and captain of the club he has supported since he was a kid. Mark talks about what that role really means to him and the tactics he employs to ensure that his team-mates are at their best at training and on the pitch. When it comes to inspiring footballers, Mark hits the nail on the head. A typical Hammer, really. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

OUR latest clip show follows on from a previous episode, when The Big Interview zeroed in on those very special footballers: the mavericks. Harry Redknapp has known more than his share of those players during his career and he talks about the likes of The Ghost John White, George Best and Paolo Di Canio. Harry also coached two true mavericks at Portsmouth: Paul Merson and King Kanu. Listen out for the story about how the Nigerian was taken home from the airport - it’s one of the funniest anecdotes I’ve ever heard while recording these podcasts. Of course, we Scots know a thing or two about idiosyncratic footballers as well, and in this podcast you will hear about two of the best. Listen as Joe Jordan reminisces about the genius of Jimmy Johnstone, while Graeme Souness talks about Alan Gilzean, the king of White Hart Lane. And just a reminder: we are recording The Big Interview live with Alex McLeish on March 9, in Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall. Tickets are selling fast, so don't hesitate. Buy here &nb

THE Big Interview with Neil Lennon was a wonderful evening and we gave those who attended a chance to get involved, holding a Q & A with the Hibs manager at the end. Remember that you can still play your part in this podcast by donating to Ardgowan Hospice - who we were helping to raise money for on the night. Neil held court brilliantly as he fielded questions from the floor, talking frankly about player development and giving his views about where clubs and coaches are going wrong. He was also asked about the most talented managers in football today and reveals which one he would most like to have worked under as a player. And there is a wonderful tribute to a coach from his past: the late Tommy Burns. Neil recalls how the former Celtic coach once “refereed” a training ground confrontation between Derek Riordan and Gary Caldwell. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We recorded our first live Big Interview just before Christmas when Neil Lennon joined us at Greenock Town Hall. It was a special event and we want to thank esteemed actor - and our good friend - Martin Compston for inviting us along to help raise funds for Ardgowan Hospice. As you are about to find out, this Big Interview was great fun. Neil can tell a story just as well as he used to retain possession, like when Martin O’Neill dragged his Leicester City players to Yorkshire Ripper murder scenes, or when Noel Gallagher told Neil off for misbehaving before an Oasis gig. We also talk about player development, with Neil explaining why he believes over-coaching is preventing the emergence of more free-thinking, creative players. And, of course, his encounters with Barcelona come up too, a team which Neil faced first as a player and later, famously, as a manager. This is Neil Lennon. Live. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

JUST about every guest I’ve spoken to on The Big Interview had a tale of transfers which went right, others that went spectacularly wrong and those which fell through at the last minute. During this clip show you’ll hear Charlie Nicholas talk about a move to Nice which went so far off track that he ended up at Aberdeen. And there is Peter Beardsley’s tale of how he ended up at Manchester United, which is one of the finest on any podcast I’ve done. Damien Duff, Gary McAllister and Alan Pardew also reveal the details behind the big transfer stories in their careers. Then there are the deals which didn’t happen. Jody Morris’ exit from Chelsea was a saga, while Darren Fletcher still regrets the collapse of a move to Spain and Michael O’ Neill looks back at how an early Bosman switch to Sturm Graz hit the buffers. David Moyes and Jamie Carragher will also talk about player recruitment, and there will even be time for a couple of tales about Eric Cantona before The Big Interview’s transfer window slams... &

John Collins' career was shaped by his move from Celtic to Monaco in 1996, where he played alongside a couple of promising youngsters named Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet. Here, Collins tells us how the two French internationalists carried the hamper into the dressing ground at every away game in the season prior to winning the World Cup. During his time in France, Collins underwent a technical and tactical revolution, but his marginal gains approach to self-improvement started in his teens. How else would a skinny kid from Galashiels get the chance to line up alongside George Best in only his second professional game? He now has strong opinions about the development of young footballers. We talk Jean Tigana, rugby, John Stones, sweeper keepers and that cheeky wink to camera before Scotland–Brazil - the opening game of the 1998 World Cup in France. Football needs John Collins. I'm sure you'll agree after an hour in his company.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As a born-and-bred Aberdonian, Sir Alex Ferguson had a huge influence on my life. He revolutionised my hometown team in the 1980s through strategic management and sheer force of will. He made things seem possible. And it would be impossible to do a football podcast without talking about the legendary Scot. The contributions from Jamie Carragher and Kevin Bridges reveal a different side of Fergie: his forensic memory, his humour, his deep love of the beautiful game. David Moyes and Gordon Strachan give an insight into the force of nature which was Ferguson in his younger days. To Strachan, the former Manchester United manager remains the best sports psychologist in the world. Then, Darren Fletcher’ s testimony takes us into the dressing room on a matchday. If you want to know what a Fergie teamtalk is like, listen to the end. Enjoy!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

IN four years at FC Barcelona, Steve Archibald became one of the most successful British exports to Spanish football, a striker known affectionately as Archigoles. That was a fitting title for a player who struck in his first Clasico - in Madrid, on the first day of that debut season - and, later, scored the famous “goal with the ear”, even though Steve will explain why that is perhaps a misnomer. He will also lead you inside the supreme talent and unpredictable mind of Bernd Schuster, describe the world’s worst massage and explain how to avoid one of the most notorious hitmen in European football. Steve is in the process of writing his autobiography and this interview proves why that book will be worth waiting for. Enjoy! Graham  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

THE Big Interview has been influenced by Steve Archibald on more than one occasion. It was his time at FC Barcelona and decision to settle in the city at the end of his career which helped me choose to move there myself in 2002, while Steve had impacted my life already, as a favourite striker at that other great footballing mecca: Aberdeen. In the first part of this interview, Steve talks about his Pittodrie career, his talented team-mates and, of course, the manager who would lead them all to the league title in 1980. It was inevitable that Fergie would get a mention . . . or Mr Ferguson, I should say, as Steve will explain. But he does not simply look back on those glory days, and it is fascinating to listen to Steve take a forensic view of the centre-forward position - breaking down the role of a goalscorer. Steve told the tale of his time in England, but that part of the interview was lost as a result of some technical problems during recording. I’m really sorry, especially to you Spurs... &nbs