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You can now follow me on all my social media platforms to find out who my latest guest will be and don't forget to click the subscribe button and the notifications bell so you are notified for when my next podcast goes live. You can see in your face now, but listen it's good to have you on. How's life? Well, life is okay. I've been over in America, just come back now till I find the next job and just listen to a few offers I had and it's a waiting time, especially when you are a coach. Before we get into everything, I would like to go back to the start of my guest natural to get a bit of an understanding about you. Where do you grew up and how it all began? Well, I grew up in Spain, in the north, which is Calicia It's in Ferrol, a small village which is my best place I ever had normally when I still go there and just in the beach and just my freedom and just I love that. Yeah, I grew up, I think I come from a sport family My dad used to play in Real Betis central back, like cheese food, something so I don't know if it's my real dad to be fair because I come out of the only mediate in the family but yeah, my mother used to be a professional handball player as well and my sister basketball, which is being international for Spain as well so everything overall being a sport family obviously I was a nightmare when I was a kid, I must say you know, I lived in Seville I lived in Marbella and it's like following my dad's career but then maybe me is one day my dad, remember my dad and my mother went out for dinner, I had my babysitter with me so I don't know how arranged to escape the house, so all the police in Murcia started looking for me, no one knows where I was and eventually like three miles away it was a circus so they were walking in the circus, I was in the first row they are just myself, you know what I mean I was always creating problems but yeah, so I was there just my dad for me was my idol so yeah I just started kicking the ball all the time I used to get down on the ground 8 o'clock in the morning and we come back playing football at 10 o'clock every day, especially in summer so that's what you know, what I like, that's what I want to be also in Ferro is difficult to have someone who is going to trust you someone who is, you know, going to believe you believe in you and things like that but eventually when I started in Galicia, Guardos I think and then when Saifo Racing, Ferro so yeah, like it was a good journey to be fair, but I worked hard and never, I would not say you know like players come out and you see them, they go this special thing I was okay, no great, no bad in the middle, but my mind is is being trying, work hard and trying to make the level I wanted to be and eventually got the opportunity in the first team on Rafin, so we playing the Spanish Cup, I just played the game and scored my first goal, my first debut, we win one now what age? I was 16 was there a lot of pressure on your life because you came from the family sports family, the footballer, basketball, volleyball no, you see in this time I don't have pressure at all, pressure for me is to be fair I never had any pressure I love the pressure really I just as soon as I go on the park I forgive everything around me around my life, around anything and that's what I enjoy so eventually just went out there and just play just love it amazing, I don't even know how I celebrate it it was crazy but they had some good players around me in the Premier League they were related with me but then the coach who is giving me the opportunity from Bajadolid, he just to coach Real Bajadolid so eventually they left and come back another one who used to play with my dad in Rossign as well championship but Ferrolli is a place that you need to be clever, it's not about clever I've been always with bad, with bad how do you say that bad people really it can be lots of drugs lots of, everything has come from there anyway I would have fucking loved it that's what is happening to me bro well but yeah eventually I went like an hour night even after my debut training with my friends and we have a big fight in the street I just went and kicked a guy with my foot and my foot was out telling me to walk so the next morning I called the coach telling him that I just twisted my ankle and eventually with that fight it was one of the sporting directors living there he saw me there so I was screwed for me that was the end over there so eventually I just want to do something different, I want to move from there and I went over to Saragossa to Huesca and then my life changed there 18 year old boy trying to never left my mother, never left my dad and then just over the sudden on my own it was tough but at the same time it made me a man because in my house always go, the foot is there, everything there just everything clean so that is one of the things that can be a little bit struggling because I miss my family but as soon as I start precision, that's me so for me my if I go any problems as soon as I'm in the park I forget everything I just work hard so I spent two years there the first year I scored 25 goals and the third year we on the second year I scored 35 goals so after that I remember Castellon which is in Valencia my agent told me that Castellon and Valencia they want to sign me I will take Valencia because it's a primary club but I'm going to the second team and my agent he told me because in one year or two years you will be out obviously I used to like the party a lot so yeah, he said, so where am I going I said, you go on to Scotland that bastard's real he knew that he knew how I was so eventually when I went over he's I don't even know where he called me so I went I said, all right Peter Henderson used to be the head coach so I went over there I done precision and everything I played very well and I got the contract but that even was even more difficult you know, I'm still a fucking speaker now but yeah I went like yeah, like in front of the stadium was a hotel a small hotel with the family who is always trying to give you the food and everything and I remember yesterday I was sitting there eating and just a big guy like a monster with scars everywhere and everything just come down he said, all right and start eating the cereal like a fuck, yeah I actually share myself a few times with him anyways he was Marvin Andrews who he played for Red Rovers but he used to play in Livingstone and eventually we done good friends even if I can't speak much but yeah, like it was that was the start for me then eventually I started to lean all my teammates and the whole city tried to help me out a lot you know and that was the start for me mentally and not even mentally it just be more what I need to do or what I want to do so the first year I went and yeah, just 25 or something like that goes and then the next year he just to be the head coach of Dandy Dandy he signed me so eventually he called it was good for me so just being working, enjoying playing every game and you know I done very good season also being relegated but that's the part of the game how was your dedication see if obviously Spain you're thinking the good environment good weather were you slipping in Spain with the drink and stuff there was that the reason to then make the change well and not much a drinker like with my friends everybody you know you are a jump boy like everybody just go out and do stupid things I was one of them so going to fight is a bit tough really but I've been also very protective there you know by my friends you know so obviously Valencia a massive club they ever regret that decision that you never gave it a crack to see how far you could have went with them I always thinking I always thinking about that but I will not change my career now I done the right thing to move forward to Scorn Big Marvin I play a lot of charity games with him he still plays if he's playing in the Premiership there's a lot of boys who actually pay like 100 quid, 150 quid to play in these games and he's going through them as if it's a fucking European Cup for you know this is a fucking psycho he can preach and practice the Bible and Jesus all he wants but he still got that roughlessness Marvin has always been like that massive but to be fair he's never got with a bad intention he's such a good guy but he does play like that and some of those kids are getting carried off injured people are saying Marvin it's a charity game but he just plays the way he's always played I remember once we went to Lancerote it was a charity game like a FIFA size game so England was there and just lots of players Charlie Miller and you know and then we play against a John team Marvin the first one just wasn't right down the guy was fucked early so the coach said we're going in the fucking left listen it was a charity game anyway but for Marvin he's not he could still play he's so fat man I've been fucking getting bigger every year I see you well Ali Reyes even worse I think he means it though especially in his first one but you see after that they're the nicest person you can meet so what was done they had an alright little team then we had a very good team 2002 2002 2004 is when I signed for Reyes how was that feeling when Rangers come calling well he's been calling both sides Celtic and Rangers but I used to go out all the time to have some dinner in Glasgow I used to meet Miquel Artheta I used to meet Sura Kishanisvili who used to play with me in Dundee Gavin Reyes played there as well just to be with Claudio Canilla so you know just go for a little bit of to eat and come back home to Dundee so yeah to be fair for me I thought on that decision that Rangers is the better club and he's got the better players that's what I thought about it and yeah he says that's what I say I remember when I was in Dundee my second year I went over to Amsterdam with my teammate Hernandez and then my mother called me she was in hospital so I said show her you will be ok and so on she has these pains in the stomach it's kind of strait, kind of slit and so on so my sister called me after and they went for a check they say it's a cold so take her back take her back to the house and still so much pain come on and I went over to I went over to La Coruña to the main hospital and they say they had aneurysm in her heart so yeah as soon as they told me dad is going to go for operation so I went with Jean Duffy just to be my head coach in Dundee and to be fair to him it was absolutely great he told me just to go he drove me over to Edinburgh to get the plane so I went over round when I stopped before I get the plane she had the first operation and this went well so I was in the plane crying because my mother is the best ever happened to me it was very tough you know but then I landed in Madrid I called my uncle see how she is she's okay, she's okay but it's not she passed away in the second operation I arrived in La Coruña La Coruña went to Ferro and tried to organise the funeral which was very tough all the police being sculpting people I never saw so many cars just followed to the cemetery and on that time I was very strong I don't like people to see me crying really so that's what happened and I need to look after my sister my mother and my father being separated before that happened when I left to Huesca my mother and my father were separated as well so in my brain it was like lots of things that put you down a lot so I went over, I found my coach and he said to me just stay as long as you can as long as you want you stay I understand that which I much appreciate for him but then just being in my house where my mother lives and everything just my brain just going all over so after three days, four days being there I just decided like to go so I booked the first flight to Edinburgh and from there I went over Jim Doffish told me like not to do nothing I said I need to play, I need to train I need to because that was my escape being with the boys and everything that's one of the parts I mess the most being with my teammates and they've been great with me also so I feel the love from them and then I think we play against Kilmarnock after being three days training we went to Kilmarnock and started scoring again and that year I scored 25 goals again and it's just it's very difficult what happened especially mentally but the football is my escape so this is why when I just feel free sorry for your loss but see it's not spoken about enough on footballers I think because a lot of footballers lose loved ones some miss funerals some miss birth of their kids like how hard is it for a footballer when they lose someone because fans think footballers are super human they don't feel as if they have feelings or emotions like how hard is it when you lose loved ones and you have to get straight back to business with all that pressure of trying to succeed that's the life we have but at the same time people know thinking we are a person we are not footballers we are footballers but on the other day we are still a person and we had so many things going on and so many players stuff is going on on the life but that's it's life and you need to use that for me it's just whatever people criticize me for something or whatever I just don't care what they say on that I'm very strong you know they can say whatever they want to say but for me my mind is just going back to training and from training to my family and that's what I've done really I used to go out at all when I went to Dundee or I went to Rangers as well you wouldn't want to go to Dundee anyway well I went once I went once to be fair you know I don't know if you don't remember Brain Sancho who's now is working in FIFA you know he's best friend with Marvin he's from Trinidad and Tobigo as well and one night we went out and you know another night club who's was Mardi Gras or something like that if I remember so walking and you know half a couple drinks whatever and just going to the taxi waiting the taxi we go in the taxi and then eventually these two bodyguards from Mardi Gras which is Dundee United fans and and they open the car the cup and the glove brain from his head they call him say Gail the car black pastor you know so so that's what when everything just kick off there but it was CCTV all around and yeah so we start kicking until then I turn around the taxi I kick again one of the guys he's was down in his face he's passed out and then eventually we've been to jail you know on that time my mother used to stay with me and that thing yeah so we've been jailed for 7, 8 o'clock 9 o'clock in the morning yeah then we went to the court case but the court case was when I signed for ranges so I remember Sardi Jardin bless him one is stay me to the court case and they put me on translator so sitting in the court case and you know the first thing the first thing I saw the judge just kind of being serious just started laughing because I never saw a judge with a yeah so the translator was on my side and then then say like he say so then our questions was like that and I just say yeah I will do again I will do again because my teammate and we know that nothing wrong they say that and I will do again so after all they put the court case finish we don't need to do nothing we don't need to pay because I broke the jaw of one of the guys and yeah so that's that's it what did you just say? no, ranges had to my support they support me 100% you know because obviously they know the story will happen you know so that's how it was eventually after that just come back training happy days what were you thinking when you were getting a tour round eyebrows? amazing I remember why when I sang and everything even before the presentation I used to drive in the car just pass it all the time look at it it's absolutely beautiful it's a beautiful stadium it's like it's a stadium who I don't know how to say it's got a lot of history you know it's it's absolutely beautiful as soon as you go inside and everything it's no much change you know like it's been for years and years and years there you know now I think you're going is lots of changes made you know more like fancy stuff you know they make a kitchen they make a restaurant for the players we used to be before used to be a gym you know so we used to go before come out for warm up we used to go to the gym doing stretching and feel like that some do bikes and feel like that you know what I mean and it was the training room never changed also and you know it's just beautiful I never saw something like that in my life and you go to the trophy room it's absolutely amazing that's what I like what was it like making your debut you nervous you scored did you know it yeah against sports yeah you shined yourself when I come out because I never hear so many that voice you know as soon as they present me in the stadium because we they present 3-4 players so I think it was me, Tado Perso who else I don't remember well just start the new signing just start you know mention the names and go like this they let me like the last to come out and as soon as I went in is my god that noise made me like you know it's just say wow you know and there yeah just get out on there and start playing as soon as I the kickoff start I always nervous before again especially with Tado Perso we drinking 5 s places before come out anyway so well hopefully you know but yeah like as soon as the kickoff you forget about everything which around you and just just focus in the game really and yeah I remember that goal as well you know it was was a special yeah did you know how big the rivalry was between Celtic Angels when you joined um I you see before when I remember when the score is cal final um when Barry Ferguson scored the the free kick who is win the game I was with Jimi Belsang first time watching the game with the Rangers fan you know I used to play for Dandy on that time so I went to see them and it was impressive impressive for me anyways um but then after like I think it was yeah first game I play I think it was in Salty Park I think I think Salty Park the first game I ever played there and yeah we we feel the the you know atmosphere yeah and I used to be kind of I will not say 30 but I just I will do anything for my team you know and you seem to have embraced it though like I say the Rangers fans well I'm going out they speak highly of you like I don't know if because Celtic Rangers fans listen to the note Scottish football but it gets a rough ride but Celtic Rangers fans are the biggest crowds in the world because of the rivalry and the hatred and the violence that's why it's so popular it's kind of a way from that now but you seem to fucking embraced in madness because I remember he started playing the flute in that but Rangers just embraced him even more for that because you used to get the violence and take your top off and kiss the badge and you seem to embrace it did it feel like home for you when you sang for Rangers yeah it was like a family really everybody knows everybody you know I used to go to Ibrox and you see the people who used to be the door man the girls who look after the wives and the people in the Cooper Suite and just with the Cooper Suite and all this we know everybody who is working in the club and we go into the training ground it's the same people that's been working there for years you know even when Koyste and Gaza Mahele you know all these guys used to just to know them as well you know because this is a family that's what you got me the most you know what I mean because you go to clubs and you know people come people go but they keep the right people and people that is keep the lies for the football club and that's for me is like that's for me is special I don't care what anybody say but that for me is special and you know I used to go all the suites and you know after after the game I just everybody just I kiss blah blah blah because we know everybody is that the first thing you felt if you had a family since you left Spain yeah yeah 100% and this is why it was connected and this is why also for me this was new playing from 52,000 fans that I feel the love from them and I also I want to improve myself but that's how it was anyway I was a warrior as well you know what I mean I've always been a warrior in my life from the start to the end so yeah it's it's life so I just need to I be so so happy because that's the best decision I've ever made 25 goals you scored your first season what were you thinking this is easy you see to be fair the first I think it was the first saving the first thing games I couldn't score I want to fucking score you know I wanted I really wanted but I tried too hard sometimes and sometimes when you try too hard to try to to prove to people that it was the right sign that everything like is kind of like I need to I need to just down more so eventually after in the 10th game we playing Dandy away my old club so yeah so eventually like I've been in the bench and Alex McLeish changed me I don't know 75 or 75 minutes or 70 minutes roughly like that take me out in the second half put me on and then eventually a grey run out on the right side and cross I just tap on first goal and my celebration it was like like a hoolies wanting to come out you know what I mean it was and then also when the fans start seeing it's only one Nacho Novo blah blah blah that's made me like I want more and eventually after that another another pass outside the area on the right just hit low and just put in the bottom corner it was too now and we finish like so obviously to be fair I must say I celebrated because you know I know when people saying that you know you left us and feel like that but I left I just left because I wanted to succeed I want to get bigger team I want to play Champions League I want to make myself prove myself I can be that player in a top club and eventually this is why I celebrated because I was so hungry I just start punching like an idiot the pitch like that it was great it was very good the 2005 season probably the most dramatic in Scottish history Celtic coast in five points clear last game of the season Celtic won a lot you were not in each Celtic you scored was it against Hibbs? how was that when you won the league the season? well like it was it was amazing you know because I think Celtic is take us a lot of points I think it was 10 10 points and then eventually we start keeping winning the loss in some games we win the old film as well so eventually just come out in the last game of the season and as soon as I scored we celebrate and feel like that because Ale McLeese he said to us I remember in the training room he said listen whatever happen we need to end of the season winning we win the game we have a chance so we went over scored and then kept playing and the most experience I ever had when our fans start yes just come crazy so everybody looking everybody and Ale McLeese is looking as well and looking to I think it was Martin May and then Ale Ray jumped Fergie jumping on Ale Ray because he's celebrating and he says no it's not finished yet you know what I mean so it was an experience and then after that later on it's another we find out by the fans really and it's just just incredible just everybody bouncing you know and for me this was my first ever special feeling I ever had all over my years as a football player just winning the league like that you know and the quarter turn back to to Edinburgh so yeah it was it was a proud moment how would your mum feel? my man will be there my man will be like it's crazy you know my mother used to it's typical woman who is just shouting if someone heard me she want to jump in the pitch is that where you get your anger and violence from? yeah probably well my dad is no my dad used to be a centre back he was tough as well you know yeah but you see people say about Spanish people Spanish players the divers things like that well I'm going to need to tell you this right now yeah the guys from the north we have a pair of balls we never go back down south there are all pussies you know what I mean that's what I mean like we grow up in the cold, in the mountains you know it's we are warriors you're the fit right on in Glasgow bro you're the fit right on in Glasgow how was it how was Big McLeish as a manager? how was it when McLeish was there? he was a good big guy but how was he at Rangers obviously later years on how was he as a manager? he was good he was a good man yeah he's like he's got also had a good team you know he's like him so yeah he was he was great really you know something passionate passionate but that's that's what you want really you know until one day I remember against Andy United away he spooned me he spooned me in the bench that was in the 2005 2006 I think it was so he spooned me in the bench and and we're winning two now we win the league or no well doesn't matter like we we're still playing until 95 the give five minutes extra time and he take me two minutes the last two minutes and we're winning two now so maybe me I went over and just through the boot he just come out you know and yeah so just push him like this all my teammates just separate and feel like that but it's when you are in a whole place and then after the next morning apologise you know he's a guy who I really admire he's an after-boy he done for Rangers as well when he travel as well he's been a good manager for Rangers how was it when Walter Smith came in did you feel things change yeah yeah well especially because Walter I just I used to sometimes when you know play until I die just to mom I say why why not me but Walter as soon as Walter has something as soon as he look at you you know you are the right you are the wrong and that was I think the first game when we played in Europe we went to play against I think it was in Israel I think Maccabi Haifa we played there first half we were terrible and they scored so you just come out like that I just don't like to look at his face anyway like that I grabbed the the back of the bottles just made Jimmy Bell yeah Jimmy Bell off he didn't say nothing either you know but and then after we fired up then eventually I scored and then they scored so we lost to one but then after one of the things I would say about Walter he take us no down any speech after the game he take us over to the hotel I say everybody on the room on the meeting room and wait for me so we been waiting like 30 40 minutes waiting for him to come soon as he come one of the things he say I gonna give you one choice you see this club this club is me fucking people who is fight for this club fight for the fans you know this club is need to be pride yeah and he say so I gonna tell you something you can tell me who is don't want fight for this football club just can't go on fuck off so I gonna let you think so he went out half an hour more waiting there make us talk and things like that and eventually when he come out no one say nothing you know I think that was the changing point for us he is very involved he is very passionate but he will never say nothing bad to you you give everything how good was Barry Ferguson it was astounding yeah I think he is like you know who remember me James remember me like Bellingham with this Leirons and you know it was it was it was hard as well he never get the foot bad or nothing when he is going yeah it was for me is one of the greatest players I ever seen I play with it was absolutely astounding you know so it was a gold scholar as well like you know from Mayfield especially before he come back because when he come back I think it was Blackburn there was a Blackburn there I don't remember who yeah so I think when he come back he has his injuries his knee and everything so yeah honestly I mean like Bellingham is just other level but it's kind of similarity player that he go and press like he can score a goal you know you know because sometimes these days some Mayfielders pass pass pass but never want to go that's what you pay for you know and I think very on that it was absolutely astounding obviously maybe maybe after he seniorly maybe he know was the same that it was before but I think it was a great player I'm only bastard though I'm fucking telling you that it's just I need to send him to fuck off you know but yeah it was a great player and a good captain what was the season you scored the 30 yarder and the cut final I think you came on the sub half time and you scored a screamer against Volcker yeah it was how was that feeling it was great fucking hell yeah like it's just I don't always went through my mind I think because how the ball bounce and I just need to hit it I just hit it you know also I was lucky because it can go either way can go outside the stadium anyways but but yeah like you know try you never know and that was the perfect bounce of the ball just to and yeah it was was amazing I will win the win the cup with one now and that was even more special because that was my last year for Rangers see the 2008 was it 2008 2009 the run to the UEFA cup how was the team spirit then because even in the Champions League games I think Barca, Leonies were quite close to getting through at the knockout stages but how was the team spirit that season did you feel as if you could go on a big run in Europe? yeah do you believe that? yeah especially at home you know the good thing about iBrooks I don't know why but you see the atmosphere and you can ask top players they will tell you something special there you know and and it's like we play you know Barcelona can with eleven players and we play with twelve you know just everybody don't know left everybody up you know I really don't know what it is but you know you are for a battle and you know and try to win and we done very well you know even in Champions League we went to Leon we built Leon 3-2 you know so in Barcelona it was a little bit when we play in Barcelona way it was a little bit more difficult because this that park is huge absolutely huge and especially Geranti he's never helped us much you know and coached it too you know he say good luck boys good luck with the VIP test yeah because that's what that's what we doing you know and it's just running like it was crazy who was in the Barça side then Messi must have just been coming through yeah talking Ronaldinho Henry so who else Xavi, Niesta Pujol Pique no it was not Pique it was Marques they were starting to get the team of the century there with the Niesta and Xavi I don't know what years they came through but I remember how fucking good they were I think Spain as well they had won the Euros the World Cup the Euros I don't know if that was too I can't remember the dates but yeah they were how good were they how is that as a football player because you think you're doing great you're scoring goals you're playing me a big club to then come up against people who are but you know what James I like that because for me I say right okay so for the example Pujol as a defender but Militos was there as well so you try to test yourself to get better as well you know what I mean because you learn about you always try to pass them you know and to try to pass them sometimes you need to you know try to find where is the best the best options to try to take them you know it's just for me it's like you play against best players in the world but we give them fight you know we give them absolutely fight obviously in eyebrows we draw now now you know we have a few chances as well to score so yeah did you start realising did you realise straight away when you got to the knockout stages that you could win it or was it just a game by game kind of mentality I think it was game by game I think when we when we started dreaming about it obviously we went in Bremen we play against Bremen and tell you if it's not for Alan McGregor we will be absolutely hammered there I don't know how many chances they had but we being complex and defending very well and sometimes you need luck you know because sometimes football is luck as well but when we when we start it was when we be Paracenaikos that's when everything just change I think we play with more everybody just everyone want to play you know and and that's what Wolters teams all the time come around everybody make everybody happy you know it's like Wolters is the type of person that is not his individual each person as a person they know what problems they got they know how to treat them and for me for example after a Champions League game I just come on board doing the gym and say I want to enjoy to play after play 80 minutes I just go on and trying with the guys who never play but that was my mentality how was big David Werkes he must have been 38 he was nearly 40 he had a great season how was he after how did he train or just play he trained he is the most professional player I ever met he look after himself he need to do whatever he need to do for for him to recover because believe or not like we play that year 90 games 90 games in total it's crazy and then obviously after when we went for the league the the league is just make us obviously before the final St. Petersburg they had they had like two weeks of the league say no gym no play just go and concentrate in training for the final in all sides they don't they don't what they want to do is make us playing I don't know how many games in a week or two weeks two weeks and a half five games do you have any favours? I think James that's stupid because he will win for example he will win the final it's gonna be good for the squad it's full world for the league everybody do you know what I mean why do you think they never backed you? I don't know well I know I think but I don't know it's something for me personally it's something it's no you know I think over there you are Celtic or Reignis sample is that the semi final the winner for Argentina how was that feeling? that's a big moment you miss that you're never getting back in Glasgow I never thought about that after that thinking gold I'd say oh my god what you thinking when you got to take the penalty because you scored a few penalties for Rangers but I know you missed because you had a 100% record at some point in I think you missed a couple how was the feeling stepping up for that penalty? it was I'm actually kinda was nervous a little bit when I was walking in as soon as I put the ball in the spot just I've been reading Dagglekeeper a lot he's best way to go is to his right you know and I went as soon as he headed to the other side and this was the feeling like we can't even believe it we are Europa final you know but that's not even the thing for me the biggest thing was we went to Manchester oh my god can't see so fucking many people over 100,000 or so I think more than that more than that I think it was 350 or something like that without ticket without ticket I don't think even Real Madrid or Barcelona we travel that many people without ticket it's incredible you tell me you actually tell me that any clubs will do that I don't know here in the obviously in England they have big support yeah but for me people come from all over the world like Australia America Thailand everywhere we have support and the and that just that's what make us as players make us proud about like we are in the right club how was it in the final though you never started how was that feeling well I remember as you started you know as you because I remember we played against Andy United and the game before the final and scored two I think I was the man of the match and again scored one the header and I think that probably would be my best goal for Rangers with left-back in the top corner in the corner of the 18-yard box and that's that was my feeling because I wanted to play the final but it's football Walter have his tactics and I just need to respect it and then I just come back they put me on and I had a really good chance with my left-back it's well in the middle just shot the mound just put over the bar with my left-back it was tough I had a great chance just to they were a good team they were a great team they were a strong team they were a very good team but also we have our weak chances that if I put the ball in the net we draw one each does that replay in your mind masses to this day does that because something the teams are regret is a winner but the experience they give me it was it was good because at the team we had we have fighters all the time we go in the game we need to win the battle and then play and that was that's what we had everybody was 100% beside the gaffer beside Koiste Kenny Mataule we were a team we were a team what's Koiste like funny guy he's loved everywhere his knowledge of football is spot on a lot of presenters are shite he knows his football the way he just listened to him he knows what he's talking about listen I love Koiste I heard someone mention something in social media that he need to why we know blame other commentator like saying Koiste talking shite or things like that that's what I mean that's jealous people because Koiste for me is not about everything he's a good commentator he can see a game and he was one of the greatest players you know but the biggest problem with Koiste especially when Geranti and Koiste come in the box I just try to fall asleep because if they peck on me they peck on the whole travel I just no other reaction Chris Boyd they are quick well, I think Koiste and Geranti will put him down anyway but between Koiste and Geranti together, oh my god it's a show there imagine Gaza never played for years a good money being addressed to them listen one of the things I take that I was with a good goalie scorer who is doing lots of practicing with him with Koiste and for me the master mind is in Geranti he was a genius one no but he can see again he can say anything even when he's go up all the time watch the game and just tell Walter or watch now with Walter and then just Walter go down or speak with Koiste and Thilada and then just make the changes and Thilada but he's a genius I think he you know I would love to take him as my assistant coach you know what I mean because he was learning by the best he was good to his big boy too well he's like top goal scorer five seasons or something in a row he's just crazy I used to go on the training round and say how many do you fancy today say four he just scored four how many do they three just crazy he says he's not he's was a goal scorer in the area he will he will do crazy things touch and finish and that's what he was and that's for me that's good for us really so after the cup final did you try and leave Rangers do you have a final or was it the season before no no no no I think it was in 2010 what another extension yeah how was life after the cup final was things deflated for the whole squad yeah lessons we were down but you know we need to go we still need to fight for the league you know and and that's it you know it was the atmosphere you know it was great but then after that just Walter made sure everybody just for to play these games and how big are the old fun games for people who don't know for people who's never been to a game especially someone who's never played it how big are they before the game during the game you see to be fair now nothing because I don't know what's going on with these you know a lot of fans and all these they're killing the game you know they're killing the game because the best thing the orphans are the fans really you know and and on my time it used to be great you know because the noise the making is you kind of hear you kind of hear a player like 10 years away from you you know it was crazy but for me for me it's the best derby I wouldn't even I wouldn't even put I wouldn't even put like Madrid Barcelona or I don't know I think the Brazilians have got a massive support when they play but for me it's a different level it's a different feeling it's a different hatred and that's what fucking makes the football man listen shake hands after of course but it's the passion man that's what makes football football is getting that took away it's turning into a fucking women's game yeah now these days you kind of do and also it's not even that it's the BAR thing and they still don't make the right choices still corrupt must have been the drink anyways but yeah it's just yeah it's just I don't know I think I think for me that's that's one of the best best feeling especially when you score you score in the 70 part you see all the ground just silent and you see the corner all around you just going crazy and that's the thing I like and that's the thing I mess about the game you get sent off a couple of times and miss two cup finals is that correct yeah what you thinking then did you not get the heads up to fucking listen if you get sent off or whatever you're fucked were you not caring or did you not know well there's a league cup and a scottish cup final you missed both didn't you same season yeah I don't know why they sent me off I really don't remember really I don't well once was David yeah against Aberdeen it was David we are just in the ball to pass it to me and this I don't know it's it's Aberdeen player just keep me pushing back pushing back pushing back it was a free kick really it was all the time eventually I give him and then I put the ball and Mackie I think it was slide so I jump on him I went for the ball but I missed the ball his knee you know and that was this end of which is try to go for the ball and yeah but he is light so was supposed to do you know how was it leaving Rangers it was tough it was it was very tough but my grand my grandma it was very unwell also so and she want to see me playing so nothing better than go and play in a league and you know I've been playing the Premier League there and you know she was his grandson you know so yeah so it's I've been closer also to my family you know because he home is Asturias so it's like three hours and a half anyways so it was perfect what's your greatest memory in a Rangers jersey plenty I don't know I think people will say semifinal penalty yeah I think that's probably will be the most you know for fans will tell you anyway but for me I think should be and it was my first season it's called 25 goals and also in the league how we win the league is that you can buy that you know a million years that's hopefully that happen this this year for Rangers and you know because sometimes he's getting tight and teams is getting losing points or whatever so but yeah now how is the game it's totally different now you can touch anybody you know and tickling the game really I think the game now is business doesn't get you excited the way it goes too and who's the greatest player have I played against I see yeah they just know he's a superstar there's something different it's like I remember when we play against Rangers and also when I play with Sporting against Barcelona he just is the type of guy sitting looking the ground like this he's not moving just walking like that and just looking around but as soon as you get the ball oh my god it was special you know it's it's how before you get the ball he's know where everybody is and just how he's turning and his feet the ball in his feet is not moving I think Ronaldo Ronaldo is 5 to be Ronaldo you know Messi is for me Messi is the best after the World Cup I think it kind of cemented him as the greatest of all time I love the old Ronaldo yeah that's my idea yeah yeah yeah before you never get injured man what he could do he had the power, the pace, the skill I just loved watching him I grew up like that once the Messi and Ronaldo you've got that here but the Ronaldo was a different man into my land Barcelona is unbelievable and you see to be fair you know normally when you're speaking to ex players you know and you ask these players do you think you will be available to play now on this modern game maybe too physical maybe I think Ronaldo is the only one who can do that he can play anytime you know what I mean because that's how he was he was fat but he's not even the spirit he's a goal scorer but also the technique and how he's taking people in unbelievable how was it in La Liga how was that when you went to Spain to play in La Liga it was good it was great it was very good you know one of the best memories when we went to the Bernabéu beat them one now and that's when Barcelona win the league Morinho was the coach and Real Madrid yeah but they put me in the right so I need to try to keep on things was Arbeloa Arbeloa things was Arbeloa and Di Maria Di Maria was a brother Argentinian it never take me I give him a couple of how was it playing in E-Stadiums because obviously I broke Parked 50, 60,000 then you've got 80, 90 there it just was amazing what's the atmosphere like he's totally different that's what I missed I just missed the atmosphere over here in the UK no passion on it I think you've got a lot of tourists in these stands now as well it's just not the same it's like just messing something sporting half a good support and travelling support as well how long do you stay in Spain 2 years yeah right up to 2017 I went over to I went over to Poland how was that crazy why did you go there was it Warsaw? yeah Warsaw so I went over there and fans are crazy there we went to we won the last game of the season to try to win the league so we need to win for 3 goals and we eventually get lost so we and back to Warsaw I think it was Granz and just sleeping there and the next minute they was just you know they just say what the fuck is happening here it was like 5 cars tried to put the boss in the motorway to corner to stop it um so it was the the bosses fucking come out they opened the fucking door I don't even know what they say obviously because but I had the Spanish player there who has been all his life there like I was he speaks Polish he translate to me what he saying but it was scary big boys as well like yeah so eventually police come some of them just went on a run and the 3 big heads like the this has to the players to give them a jacket on the sitting like that and no one say these 2 as well all the head coach like that everybody just no problem so we drive them to to the stadium understanding it down but yeah obviously what my friend say like he saying like like he is bigger than our kids and our families and things like that like it's just yeah yeah it's crazy eventually after that just just no it was totally different you know yeah I went over to yeah to to Grinton was but before that I think before that I went over to I went over to Carlisle and then Morton so like that after that just I can go to America so I went to North Carolina over there to play how is that it's coming to the end of your career as well you just you don't want to give it up you're hanging on like how is that feeling well like it's it's kind of tough you know but to be fair I never had major injuries anyways I think the problem was like these young players coming through they just pass you over and that's what happened with me over in Glen Torren you know I finished the league stronger but then I just you know it's time for other kids giving the chance for it you know were you not getting death threats in that though yeah yeah well I got the threats when I was in Reigns and in the world RAP Novo and things like that and semilators you know people try to in the streets try to say something so I react you know stuff nasty stuff and when I went to the April as well you know I went to do to do a question answer in Belfast and then and eventually I never knew that in the flight it was all Celtic fans going to Belfast so so yes I went I just give myself boom my my earphones on listen to music so I don't listen to them and eventually as soon as we finish and go down I get out to try to get out you know outside the April and on the way out I start singing I hope you die your sleep naturally I just laugh you know I guess it's no point just have a confrontation nothing like that and this guy just keep doing it keep doing it tell about something about my something about my ex just nasty thing really and eventually when I come out it's the guy just keeping right on my face there I just stop I just confront you know it's head to head I control myself other than nothing but that's how they are they come in like this and then I never knew my people was outside waiting for me they run back inside so it's like it's just crazy crazy stuff which this is why I just try to disconnect about all this because I just it's very sad you know what they're doing and you know it's alright as you call me whatever and think like that but you never mention my family how hard does that when you get tested because that's the wrong thing about football I get it but outside is a different ball game how hard does that as a footballer especially if you react you're the bad guy but every man's got a right to defend himself if somebody's giving you shit speaking to your family for me it's get banged talk shit, get banged man you need to be fair James once I was wearing Glasgow I went on this you know the car park are in the middle so it's like a we we call just that size till the car park and over here is the the big the city centre so I walking I walking with my bags doing some shopping and my son and on the last is a pop in the corner so I walking and someone come out from behind and just punch me I start running so I was shocked who's having so my age used to walk in the bag and he said fucking get him I just threw my bags I run them close his legs, fell in the floor and just let him because it's nothing that I don't know a guy that's going to go and say something I can't go and say something to the police like you know we're gonna say they attack me and say like that I should deal with that myself because you know I try to be away from media I try to be for anything like that because on the other day the media is the ones like you know when I used to have my bar you know half a wifi or half anything or whatever is my name you know and this is why I just connect with that because for me I just want to be a coach and and now I just enjoy the life now back again you know so now just trying to wait for for my next challenge how was it retiring natural when you know it's over your last game you have to go and shit man this is it scary yeah it was especially I went I went really really low you know I just I won't I went very down so my mental health is noble you know I didn't know even that you know you have people there um thinking that you're friends and you know so you just stop playing and no more friends you know so it's a it's a learn of that I had you know now just keeping my circle very small say to people where I'm going or nothing like that just concentrating in trying to do my job as a coach that's made me that's made my life even more more like if I'm a player again you know I really enjoy now I've done very well um so I'm ready for the opportunity now so yeah how was that that feeling of getting used playing football everybody what a piece of you everybody pretending to be your friend how was that when you realized where I'm at the majority of people around me are fucking assholes yeah it's true um nothing just caught off you know caught off and that's how I thinking anyway you know life is still going and you know I got good health and I just want to to do the best I can do to be myself and be where I want to be and where I want to be how about your health now because I know you had a heart scared as well was that how was that feeling just to be fair it was when we went to Berlin, Germany on a legends game serving a side and it was indoor it was 20,000 people it was very warm so normally players just 2 minutes and change changing all the time every 2 minutes I was the youngest so you know so I stayed about longer had this pain on my back constantly I don't know you know I mean like it's strength to explain um just keep playing say there will be some I don't know just keep playing I'm finishing it and then after that still still still I just I just say to the doctors like I said I don't know something wrong I feel something wrong here try to give a massage there still going I don't know some pills and feel like that so eventually I say you know I'm rather just going to hospital to check out so I went to the to put me at the ambulance and they take me over and and that's where where everything just told me I have a heart attack and they actually told me say some things that you come back because if you come on time here you will be dead tonight yeah it's scary yeah but you know and now I keep playing football can play with my friends you know just enjoy the game you know so just just keep doing things like that I mean you people and you know yeah like just just loving it you've had a lot of loss in your life you've kinda come back you've come through it but Fernando Rickson who was a massive friend of yours you've got tattoos of him I was actually at a party with him I must have been about 20, 21 years ago I will never discuss what happened at that party he was fucking off his head he was a mad bastard then and yeah it was mad but yeah I know he's a massive friend of yours had massive respect all around the world what a terrible fucking illness that is to see someone of that nature to then end up the way you end up but how big a loss was that for you well it was it was a big loss because it was one of my friends in football but I just had good memories of him that's what kept me going and the parties we had as well our way yes you can't buy that that's in the memories and would die in my memories with him anyways so I remember him where he was kind of still walking a little bit but it's hard to get him to upstairs and people tried to touch him to help him out he was wimbalistic no you know he tried to do it himself and that's the mentality he had as a player you know it was it was a great player but it's it was a fighter really you know it's always happy 8 o'clock in the morning waiting having breakfast and he just came out like if he was half I don't know how many 25 expressors or something it was the energy he had and the energy transmitted to the team as well you know yeah yeah I miss him a lot to be fair you know I'm sure he'll look after me from there now because he done the fireworks as well I don't know he got the fireworks out he was crackers because I was only a young kid 20 like I said I've never discussed information I'm not like that but he was fucking mad he was a crack but I was buzzing because I was only a young kid had a couple of birds and he had a party and I'm thinking what if he's fucking partying and I think it was like a fucking Thursday night or something he didn't give a fuck and I thought fair play but yeah he was a character then yeah but you see to be fair that's the difference on that he can party but you see in the next morning if you need to go training it's the first one in everything you know what I mean so this day you ask any of the these players these days just going the jacuzzi you know what I mean and that's what I mean some players can be partying but then as long as you do the job in your job you're working hard then Casablanca was the same he was drinking whiskey before fucking games just because he's nerves anything to calm them down Fernandez was a hyper he was a hyper person that's the Dutch in a whole I've never met a same Dutch person in my life they're all fucking crackers he's just he's a good fan good memories you know it was it was very tough but it's life it's life how's mental health side of things now how are you feeling I feel good now I feel great because I had you know this coaching project over in America you know I done very well and then I come as a intern head coach I made the players playing, believe and you know I go one of the younger players that you know I think he will have a good chance to put them on put them on to the first team it wasn't the first team anyway but never just trying really but I put them on I think I have a good chance to maybe USA team you know so I think my I think my qualities is like I learned by the best people because I had all these good coaches I picked little big things of everybody you know I like to treat the footballer as person you know because you never know who is going on the head so you don't know because I pass many things through I pass a lot believe it or not people thinking happy Nacho no really bad stuff happened to me and never have I never spoke to anybody about it no one because I keep everything to myself but yeah till you find a good friend and who you trust and is my best friend and is you know is my rock really like this I know whatever I say she knows what is what she gonna tell me I will hear and listen to it so now I pass the most happy time of my life now you know and I just want I just want more football really I just want to get out in the park and try to do things and try to blame jumpers as well where do you think your life would be if you never had football huh I don't know probably in jail or something hahaha nah yeah but nah I like this do you think it saved your life that's how much football means to people on that yeah it's like you know you really don't know as a kid what you leave what you pass and things like that and all of a sudden like a team want you and team behind you and everything all the time and that can change people lives change man yeah where do you go forward for the future natural what's your plans well now I try to to find a new club so I go a couple options one in Portugal and one round here in London so yeah just waiting time to see what is going to be the best option and we'll see what happens could you ever end up back at Rangers not yet you got to learn your trade first yeah for me I think in the you know I think you need to to grow as a coach as a head coach you know and start from the from the law and build up yourself you know have some some more experience because I always learning and you know I've been two years over in Lessington Kentucky and I've been learning a lot you know you're always learning with everybody you know and yeah I made my point how much you want to play the player and you know they made me proud as well and the players obviously they're happy as well so you know always have a happy camp you always have more chances to succeed for anybody watching that sure it's maybe a life of struggle right now it's fucking doesn't think they can make it or get out to the next day what advice would you have for them just speak you know I know sometimes it's difficult because for me it was difficult to speak to anybody psychologist or whatever it was difficult you know because I don't trust nobody really so but for me just these people some people are there for to try to help you and also try to find a sport also go to the gym go swimming go play tennis just get out in your house just thinking about your head because that's the worst this can happen just do some sports most important just try to speak with someone who will help you last question brother for any young footballers out there now what advice would you have for them just keep working you know always learn you know for me the most important for these young players is you know be be generous you know and try to to compete to the best every training session give everything and you know just keep practicing you know that shows you like to finish up on anything else no that's that yeah well thanks very much for having me I appreciate a big fan of your podcast and yeah it was a pleasure listening thank you my brother I wish you nothing but the best for the future and I hope you have all the success in the world thank you