Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Richard Gough Gough on the Northern Spirit opportunity… Diegos: "Welcome to the birthplace of the crocodile hunter, Kylie Minogue and the Four Diegos. You're here to do the business for Northern Spirit for in two games against Parramatta Power and Newcastle United. How did the Northern Spirit opportunity come about and can you see yourself extending the spell as a player or coach later down the track? " Gough: "Well the opportunity came about because Bill Collins who is working for Spirit was the physio for Glasgow Rangers when I was there. When I went back to the USA after I retired from Everton, Bill gave me a ring and asked me to come out." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001
Diegos: "You are known as 'The Freak' apparently not because of the size of your sporran and what's under your kilt but more because you've amassed nearly 500 games with Glasgow Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton over the years and also played 61 times for Scotland. You are 38 years old but running around like a sprightly youngster. Richard how long can it go on? Gough: "It's probably been a lot more than 500 games. I did retire in May and initially was only going to come down to have a look. But the club had some problems with the availability of players so they asked me to put the boots on again. I'm in decent enough shape at the moment so hopefully the games with go OK." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001
Diegos: "You played with the 'blue' side of Merseyside, Everton. What's it like playing for Everton with Liverpool in the same town?" Gough: "We were very much the poorer neighbours in Liverpool. Obviously Liverpool had spent a lot of money, something $75 - 80 million dollars and Everton were getting a player like myself on a free transfer. So I think that sums up the difference. There is a shortage of money at Everton and that's a problem. If you haven't got money in the Premiership then you're going struggle." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001
Diegos: "Of course the Diegos remember you as a member of the Scotland World Cup team that knocked the Aussies out of the World Cup in 1985. We still have nightmares about Davie Cooper's lucky free kick, Frankie McAvennie's soft lob and Jim Leighton's flukey keeping performance in the return leg in Melbourne. You may sense that the Diegos are bitter and twisted and that we've never recovered. What about you? What are your memories of those games? Gough: "I can remember the first game, I was on the bench in Scotland, and then in the second game Australia really hammered us. Jim Leighton managed to save about three of John Kosmina's headers. It was very much a 0-0 hammering and Australia had the far better chances. We just played a containing game but we were fortunate really. I believe if Australia had scored a goal earlier in that game in Melbourne then we would've been in trouble." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001
Diegos: "Last season was your final one starring in the middle of the Everton defense in the English Premiership. One of your teammates was a guy that all Aussies have grown to love over the years - the legendary Paul Gascoigne. On the field he will go down as one of the greats, off the field his personal problems have been well documented. We noticed last week that he is again making a long awaited comeback from injury. Can Gazza recapture the form he once had? Gough: "The main thing is that he's great for your dressing room. He is not only a great player when he is fit and available to play but also great around the club. I put him in the top three players that I've ever played with. Brian Laudrup, Glenn Hoddle, Graham Souness and Dalglish would certainly be up there too. Gazza is a very mixed up individual but a great lad and I had a lot of time for him. I think everyone has known that he has had a problem with drink over the years and I noticed recently that he has come out publicly and admitted to being an alcoholic. Funnily enough when he was playing he wasn't too bad but it was the times he was injured when he turned to the alcohol. Last season we were both injured for long periods of time. He just used to go off to his hotel and submerse himself in the booze. It was shame because he is a great player. At his best there's no better player over the last 10 years." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001
Diegos: "You've played against a few of our Aussie boys in the English premiership over the years - specifically Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell. What is your opinion of the boys and how do you rate Australia's chances of getting to the World Cup in 2002?" Gough: "I think it's going to be difficult because playing the fifth placed team in South America won't be easy. With regards to Kewell, I thought during my last couple of years in England he was nearly the best player in the EPL. That's says a lot. Same goes for Viduka who is playing for Leeds United a team who I think this year will take a lot of stopping. I think they are a big chance for the championship because they are young and got the hunger to go on and do well. I've also got a good friend up there a Glasgow Ranger, Craig Moore who I also rate very highly." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001
Diegos: "You've been keeping fit with MLS club, San Jose Earthquakes in America. You have family and friends in the U.S. What do you make of the tragedy at the World Trade centre and New York recently and in your experience how are people coping? Gough: "That was unbelievable. I was on the West Coast and I woke up in the morning. Someone rang me from Europe and told me to put CNN on. Like everyone else I just sat in front of the TV all day. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. When you hear that 6,000 people are dead it's just incredibly sad. It's been a big body blow to the people in America because they never thought that terrorism would attack the heart of their country like it did. America has always been a patriotic nation but you should see it now. There are USA flags hanging everywhere. I just hope the President over there doesn't go over and do anything really silly because that could lead to a lot of bad stuff happening." Soft Sombrero Moment October 2001 |