Welcome to part one of the Andy Walker exclusive. The former Celtic, Bolton, Scotland striker and now pundit and commentator talks exclusively to Last Word on Football about his career both North and South of the border.
Read More: Andy Walker Exclusive Q&A Part One
Andy Walker Exclusive Q&A Part Two: Retirement, Looking Back and the Media
Best player you played with?
Paul McStay was the best player I played with, Frank McAvennie was the best strike partner I had. Both were exceptional in Celtic’s centenary season when we won the league and cup double.
Best player you played against?
Both at Motherwell and Celtic I played against the greatest teams in Aberdeen’s and Dundee Utd’s history. Under Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen won titles and the cup winner cup while Dundee Utd won the title in 1983, a year before I signed for Motherwell. Paul Hegarty and Dave Narey were the central defensive partnership in Jim Mclean’s side whereas Willie Miller and Alex McLeish formed the heartbeat of Aberdeen. Pushed to the chaos zone, I’d opt for Dave Narey, he was a central defender that was as calm, confident and assured as much as Alan Hansen. A real class act.
Favourite game you played in?
My first Old Firm game at Ibrox was sensational. We had beaten Graeme Souness and his Rangers side at Celtic Park in the first clash of the season by one goal to nil. The game at Ibrox is best remembered for Terry Butcher, Chris Woods and Frank McAvennie all being sent off. To me, scoring at the Broomloan Road end full of Celtic supporters to put us one up was as good as it gets. The game finished 2-2, a rollercoaster of emotions.
You played in many Glasgow derbies, are there any others that come close either for playing in or being a spectator?
Celtic v Rangers is a unique fixture, I’ve never experienced anything that comes close to it. Being born and bred in Glasgow as a Celtic fan, it’s in your psyche that you must beat your fiercest rivals. Watching it as a fan can occupy the best part of a week in preparation for it, playing in a winning side is the best feeling. Playing in a losing side – not so good!
When your playing career finished, did you think about coaching or management?
Towards the end of my playing career I took my coaching badges and became a fully qualified SFA coach. I thought it might have a future for me but I never had the same fire in my belly to take it on in the same way I approached my career, nothing would stop me becoming a full time footballer. I scouted a few players for Bruce Rioch when he was the Wigan manager but when media commitments took over I followed that route of staying involved in the game.
You’re now a respected pundit and commentator, do you enjoy going from ground to ground and what advice would you give to those wishing to get into football media for example journalism or commentary etc?
I have been blessed to remain involved in football through radio, TV and writing for newspapers and websites since retiring from the game. I have covered a lot of Scottish football of course but also enjoy the fresh aspect of going to all the grounds in England that offers something fresh. My route into it was being asked simply because I was a former player but I enjoy writing as well as discussing all the football issues of the day. Having a strong opinion is vital, even though it doesn’t help your relationship with some clubs but being true to yourself is more important.
Do you think any club in Scotland could consistently challenge Rangers and Celtic, or is the gap too wide?
I doubt we will ever see a club outwith Celtic and Rangers challenge for the title again, the gulf in finances is just too great. It’s like asking Bournemouth to win the Premier League. Sure, they can beat Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal or Man Utd on any given day but to have the consistency of results is out of their reach. Aberdeen have made an exceptional start to this campaign under Swedish coach Jimmy Thelin but have very little chance of competing with Celtic for the title. Beating Rangers into second place? I still think Rangers will beat them over the course of the season but given Rangers problems, maybe this season is their best chance of finishing second.
Finally, what is the one thing you would change about the modern game?
If I could pass a new law tomorrow, I’d ban any player from lying across the grass behind a wall! It’s infuriating! I hate the look of it. The free-kick is an advantage to the attacking team, if they want to try and score when the wall jumps let them! Rant over.
Thanks Andy.
