Canny Campo hits the right notes in the Bolton chorus

As a Former European Cup winner, who last season shared a dressing room with Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo and Raul, Ivan Campo may seem an unlikely Trotter. But Bolton Wanderers' Spanish recruit realised long ago that in football the most improbable relationships can flourish.

While his shaggy mane prompts the suspicion that his teenage idol was Phil Lynott, the truth is more surprising. It was not the Thin Lizzy legend but John Aldridge, the former Liverpool striker, whom the 16-year-old Campo worshipped.

The Spanish international defender hails from San Sebastian and grew up watching his local side Real Sociedad at their old Atocha stadium. In 1989 Aldridge became the first non-Basque to play for the club. He only stayed for two seasons but made an indelible impact, with 40 goals in 75 matches.

"He was my hero," said Campo, as we sat in an executive box at the Reebok. "He was the person I loved as a kid. He scored goals and he always came across as a really nice person."

Campo has yet to meet Aldridge, but should get a chance on 8 March, when Bolton visit Anfield and where Aldridge is a press-box regular working for local radio. Before then the struggling side need to gain points, beginning with today's lunchtime visit by Manchester United.

Campo made his debut as a substitute in Wanderers' unexpected September win over United. It was his second successive victory at Old Trafford, having been a member of the Real Madrid side who won a Champions' League quarter-final there en route to lifting the trophy in 2000. With La Liga salaries on a par with the Premiership the familiar plea that he came to England in part for the atmosphere at games may be genuine, with experiences such as that instrumental.

He recalled: "One thing that struck us that night, and we talked about it for a long time afterwards in the dressing room, is that even though we were 3-0 up there was one time when United got the ball and everyone stood up and cheered them on. That would never happen in Spain. If you were 3-0 down people would be more likely to throw stuff at you. It was out of this world."

Campo went on to figure in Real's victory over his former club, Valencia, in the Paris final but injury, and new signings, meant he was out of favour by the time Sam Allardyce's global search for talented misfits turned to Spain.

"I had other options," said Campo, "but I chatted with Sam and liked the way he talked about the club. I also liked the stadium. That was the thing I talked about to my team-mates when I went back. It has modern facilities and its shape allows supporters to get behind the team. It's everyone's boyhood dream to play at the Santiago Bernabeu but this is more intimate.

"I've no regrets. It's a new stage in my life and it has gone great. At first it was difficult to change from one style to another, English football is much quicker and more direct, but I am now pleased with way I am playing and hope I can continue to improve."

"He has a great natural touch and ability to see a pass," said Allardyce. "While he can leave the fans and myself gasping when he does it, he has the ability to bring the ball out from the back and play.

"Some of our lads have been given an eye-opener by the fact he can receive balls in tight areas and cope with it. Him, Jay-Jay [Okocha] and Youri [Djorkaeff] are capable of holding the ball, which is very important for us."

Allardyce admitted that Campo, who looked well off the pace in his early games, was initially unfit as he was short of match practice. He added: "He's not blessed with pace but all the test stats show he is very fit. It's his hair that makes him look a greater size than he is."

Beneath the unruly mop of black hair, which appears to be the reason for his ungenerous inclusion in Uglyfootballers. com's European XI (alongside Frank Leboeuf, Christian Ziege and Boudewijn Zenden), Campo is wearing a black T-shirt and fashionably distressed denim jacket. It can take quite a bit of money to look so scruffy but Campo is no egotist. In an hour's conversation he comes across as unassuming and humourous, a footballer aware of his fortune.

At Madrid he was regarded as an extrovert prone to feelings of low self-esteem and depression, one bout of which – perhaps provoked by supporters' jeers – ruled him out of the game for a couple of months.

He has talked in the past of the pressures of the spotlight at Real and it could be he is happier at a club such as Bolton, though not in the role of saviour. I put it to him that at Bolton he, Okocha and Djorkaeff are the stars, just as Figo and company were at Madrid.

"I would never consider myself to be any better or worse than any of my team-mates," he said. "You say I am a star. That's your opinion. I prefer to be one of the lads, I'm one of the team and no more. All I want is that people respect me."

Campo, who was 29 yesterday, lives on the Bolton side of Manchester with his partner, Olga. While he misses the Madrid lifestyle he was primed for many of the cultural changes by Steve McManaman, who became a close friend – they still speak every week. Having played for seven clubs he was equally prepared for the difference in management style between the lugubrious Vicente Del Bosque and more combustible Allardyce.

He said: "Del Bosque is very laid back. He has a big squad with superstars and has a laissez-faire approach. What I like about Sam is he gets everyone at it. He keeps players under pressure all the time and is always encouraging you. That can make a difference in key moments in games.

"And when it comes to tellings-off he is in a league of his own."

Had Campo been on the receiving end? This time the translator is not required. The brown eyes roll and the black mop nods. "Si, si."

Of the first of several such occasions he adds: "I didn't understand what he said but I knew he was angry [Campo puffs himself up to illustrate an irate Allardyce]. I understand English when people speak slowly so I had to wait until he calmed down to hear the reason."

Which led, inevitably, to the week's burning issue. No, he had not seen a player hit by a flying boot but, in the unlikely event of Del Bosque similarly injuring Raul, the hype would have been even bigger in Spain.

David Beckham, he added, would easily fit into the Madrid side and his delivery was on a par with Figo and Roberto Carlos. Wayne Rooney had also impressed him, notably "the confidence and manner he moved around the field for such a young man". And Arsenal, not today's opponents, were the best team in England. "They have a very fresh style. It is almost like they play from memory. The players are very relaxed, very fluid."

At the end of this season Campo's Madrid contract expires and he will be a free agent. If Bolton stay up he and Allardyce will talk about staying on, but his long term ambition is to return to San Sebastian and play for Real Sociedad, currently La Liga's surprise leaders.

For the first time in the interview he breaks into English: "My team: very good!" He grins and for the moment he is not in the gleaming Reebok but back at the crumbling Atocha cheering on John Aldridge.