Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Ian Rush

Rush on the Sydney Olympic opportunity…

Diegos: "The Diegos would imagine, from an overseas player's point of view, being asked to guest for an Australian team called Sydney Olympic would prompt thoughts of hob- knobbing with the likes of Juan Antonio Samaranch, or having a kick around carrying the Olympic torch.

How did the Sydney Olympic opportunity come about and what are your expectations of your time here?"

Rush: "Sydney Olympic tried to sign me about two or three years ago but at the time I had signed for Newcastle instead.

We've kept in touch over the years though and I thought the time is now right seeing that I'm also looking at establishing an Ian Rush Finishing School in Australia.

By 'guesting' for a couple of games with Olympic it gives us a chance to get together with Sydney Olympic and the Proactive Sports Management team to see whether we can establish some sort of network."

Soft Sombrero Moment November 1999

Rush tackling the Four Diegos hard questions…

Diegos: " You were an integral member of the outstanding Liverpool team of the 80's.

Not only was that team hailed as the team of the decade at the time but many pundits believe that it, with the likes of Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes playing, will go down as one of world soccer's greatest teams of ever.

Here's the Diego's hard questions - What was the most important goal you ever scored and who was the best player you ever played with?"

Rush: 'The best player I've played with is without doubt Kenny Dalglish. He made many goals for me over the years and we had a great understanding.

I think the most important goals I've scored were in the 1986 FA Cup final where we beat our Merseyside rivals Everton 3-1 and I scored two goals.

Your fellow Aussie Craig Johnston got the other goal."

Soft Sombrero Moment November 1999

Rush on Johnston…

Diegos:' Another special member of that Liverpool team from an Australian perspective was 'Super-roo', Craig Johnston.

For many years you shared special moments with him in the showers after the game, slamming down a few 'tinnies' and you even rapped with him in the No.1 chart smash hit - the 'Anfield Rap'.

What are your memories of Craig and has your time with him made you wary of all Aussies?"

Rush: "Over the years everyone has told me that Craig was a typical Aussie. It's the first time I've come to Australia and I think they're right.

Craig was a lovable lad. He was the sort of bloke who just made things happen.

We had five or six great years together. He was always a happy person who just got on with things."

Soft Sombrero Moment November 1999

Rush on the 'Boot Room'…

Diegos: " Generally at big clubs around the world, most team strategy and selection decisions tend to be in the manager's palatial, plush, swanky office.

During your time at Liverpool though it appears that things were quite different. The 'Boot Room' was where all the coaching staff came together to plot the club's success.

Tell us about the background of the infamous 'boot room'?"

Rush: "The 'Boot Room' used to be the place where after the game the managers and coaches used to get together.

They had a little fridge in there and they would sit around amongst dirty boots listening to what legendary managers like Bob Paisley had to say.

Our management and coaching staff - Ronnie Moran, Roy Evans etc - were very down to earth people and they all would like to go there to sit and relax to escape the pressures of the game."

Soft Sombrero Moment November 1999

Rush on Italian footy…

Diegos: "Ronaldo recent withdrawal from the just completed Australia V Brazil series highlighted the hold Italian clubs (In this case Inter Milan) have over their players.

You had a stint in Italy with Juventus.

Was there any difference between the expectations your Italian club had of you compared to Liverpool?"

Rush: "I did have a few problems when I was with Juventus if I was ever selected for Wales. They didn't want me to go but I stood my ground and demanded to go.

I think everyone loves playing for their country and clubs should not stand in anyone's way.

Australia is a unique situation because it's so far away from England but I'm sure that someone like Harry Kewell does want to play for his country.

There has got to be a solution found between Australia and the English clubs because the one's who suffer in the end are the players."

Soft Sombrero Moment November 1999

Rush on his Finishing School…

Diegos: " You are about to set up the 'Ian Rush Finishing school' for young strikers in Australia.

Can you tell us more about this project and along with teaching your pupils how to hit the back of the net, will you spend time on goal celebrations and how to milk penalties?"

Rush: "What it's actually doing is teaching young people how to score goals.

You can't teach the natural goal scorers but if you get the others at an early age I think you can take them to a different level.

I'm not saying that you can turn a $10 million player into a $15 million player but if you can get someone at any early age from nothing I think we have the experience and know how to make him into a million pound player.

The most important part of it is getting the kids young.

Looking at some of the players in Australia I think you've got some tremendous potential here. The three or four of them playing in the premiership presently are close to being the best players going around."

Diegos: "Look Rushy there are four fat Diegos sitting here over the age of 30.

Do you reckon you can teach us a thing or two about scoring goals? We wouldn't mind being million dollar players."

Rush: "Unfortunately guys once you're over 30 it might be a bit too late. You can't teach four old dogs new tricks as they say."

Diegos: "Ian this whole concept could boom into something pretty big.

Do you ever see Vinnie Jones opening up his own 'tackle from behind' Finishing School?"

Rush: "Vinnie is quite capable of doing anything.

I think at the moment though he is more interested in his career in Hollywood. He actually performed more tackles with his fist than he did with his feet anyway."

Soft Sombrero Moment November 1999