BRFC Articles

Irish Rover

Brian Kidd has been a big influence on your career, hasn't he?

"Brian was the biggest factor in me coming to Blackburn. I know he has a lot of ambition for Blackburn and I want to start winning things too. It was no secret I was out of contract in six months and could have held out under the Bosman Ruling but as soon as Brian showed his interest in me, that was it."

What was Brian like at Man United?

"He's the best, there's no doubt about that. Ask anyone at Manchester United and they'll tell you the same. His coaching methods and the way he wants to play the game are fantastic and I have no worries whatsoever abot coming here. From a forward's point of view, I'm sure he'll get the best out of me."

Were you sad to leave Newcastle?

"I spent four good years at Newcastle and I'll be leaving behind a lot of good friends. When I went there it was great because we were on the verge of something massive with Kevin Keegan in charge. But things change and this is a new oppurtunity for my career."

So had things gone stale on Tyneside?

"I wouldn't say stale, but it was a different enviroment from when I joined the club under Kevin. There has been a lot of upheaval with Kevin Daglish coming and going, my injury and then Ruud taking over. I know the club needed to raise some money and maybe I needed a change, so hopefully the move will work out well for everyone."

What are your main strengths as a player?

"I'm an out and out winger, simple as that. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than making a run, then putting in a good cross for a striker to put in the back of the net. I did that at Newcastle for Alan Shearer and earlier Les Ferdinand and Tino Asprilla, and I'm sure I can do that at Blackburn. We've got great strikers in the shape of Chris Sutton, Kevin Gallacher and Kevin Davies and I'm looking forward to linking up with them."

Can Blackburn beat the drop this season?

"I think it's a false picture here at Ewood Park. There are too many good players at this club to be in this position. I know injury has played a part with players of the quality of Chris Sutton, Kevin Gallacher and Garry Flitcroft missing for large periods but hopefully we can dig our way out. We need to get everyone fit and working hard to pick up points."

How big a move is this one for you?

"This is the second major move for me in my career. I felt I dealt well with the last one where I went to Newcastle as part of the Andy Cole move, so this shouldn't be a problem. I wasn't that well known when I first moved to Newcastle but now people know about me so there will be some extra pressure. But I feel happy about it and I just want to get out on the pitch and play for Blackburn." 

You've struggled with injuries in the past. Are you fit now?

"I have been unlucky with injuries and the worst was earlier this season when I had an ankle problem. That caused some discomfort but I have been playing and training for awhile since then so I can say my injury problems have cleared up."

So all that talk of your career being over was load of rubbish?

"Absolutely. There was a lot of wrong things said about me at Newcastle, which hurt me, things which shouldn't have been said about such a young player. But I want to put all that out of my mind. Blackburn wouldn't have bought me if they'd any doubts."