Gillespie relishes second chance under Souness

Blackburn winger has revived his career with the club who were ready to sell him.

The first couple of years after Keith Gillespie went from Old Trafford to St James' Park as the makeweight in the Andy Cole transfer, it was suggested Newcastle United had got the better deal. No one says that now, and not just because Andy Cole has scored 121 goals for Manchester United.

Gillespie's career began going wrong just as Cole's began ascending. He had started brightly under Kevin Keegan before reaching a peak under Kenny Dalglish with a legendary performance against Barcelona. Ruud Gullit, however, was less impressed and Gillespie left for Blackburn. There his fortunes dipped again with another managerial change, his mentor, Brian Kidd, being superseded by Graeme Souness. Thus in January, while Cole was on course for another Premiership medal, Gillespie was playing for Wigan Athletic against Wrexham in the Second Division.

It is never easy to drag a career off the canvas, as many a faded starlet will testify. But while Mark Robins, Lee Sharpe and Darren Huckerby are still trying to return to the promised land, Gillespie, now 26, is back in the Premiership. And, to his surprise, it was Souness who rescued him.

"When the manager [Souness] came in there were about 10 games to go in the season," said Gillespie when we met. "I played in three or four. Then he decided he didn't fancy me.

"I went to Wigan on loan. I wasn't looking to sign for them, it was more a case of putting myself in the shop window. Nothing developed but when I came back I worked hard in training and reserve-team games. Then, out of the blue, the manager said: 'I'm going to give you another chance'. That was it.

"It shows if you work at it things can change, though I never thought they would. Once he'd made his decision I thought that was it."

Gillespie realised just how much things had changed when Rovers beat West Ham 7-1. Having missed the game though injury, and not resumed training until the following Friday, he did not think he would even be involved in the squad for the following match. Instead, Souness picked him and he scored in the 3-3 draw with Arsenal.

"The manager showed a lot of faith in me, which was nice," Gillespie said. Important, too, because Gillespie admits he is a "confidence player". He added: "In my position you have to be. My game is about taking players on and if you're not confident in doing that you've got problems. At the moment my confidence is sky high."

Wingers are returning to fashion with both Chelsea and Newcastle playing two on occasion and Souness able to rotate Gillespie, Damien Duff and Damien Johnson. "We need to be willing to work back and help out the defence but the manager gives us a lot of licence," Gillespie said.

"It's what fans want to see, wingers taking people on and getting crosses in. If, when you get the ball, the fans know you are going to try to take people on, it gives them a lift. A buzz goes around the ground."

It certainly did at St James' Park in September 1997. With Gillespie giving the Spanish international Sergi a rare chasing, Newcastle went 3-0 up against Barcelona inside 50 minutes, with Faustino Asprilla netting a hat-trick. Was that Gillespie's finest hour? "I've had other games when I've played as well but that game, being Barcelona, in the Champions' League, on TV, is the one I'll always remember."

We are talking in the foyer of Blackburn's training ground. Otherwise well-appointed, it lacks a media room or even a spare office. Sky, seeking an interview with David Dunn, are trying to squeeze their equipment into the boot room. While he waits, Dunn gently heckles from behind the receptionist's desk. It is indicative of the bright mood around Rovers these days.

"We're feeling pretty confident," said the softly spoken Gillespie. "It was a fantastic result against West Ham and not many teams go to Arsenal and get a point. Everyone is playing a part. We've got 18 goals shared by about 11 different players. We've a lot of exciting players here. The manager has made some good signings."

Blackburn lie 10th in the table and Gillespie added: "Our aim is to consolidate. There's been such a lot going on in the last few years some stability would be welcome. It would also be nice to get a cup run going. It would be a reward for the fans after what they've gone through."

Gillespie, the son of a retired prison officer and a nursing sister, has settled down since attracting the wrong headlines in his Newcastle days. Gambling, women and a fight with Alan Shearer in Dublin were the causes and Gillespie, now married, said: "I was very young and naïve when I went to Newcastle and these things happen. I had time and money on my hands. The transfer deal shot me into the public eye and it was hard for me. I am a great believer that things happen for a reason and I've learned the lessons."

He has had a glittering array of managers to learn from. "Alex Ferguson was great with young kids. He looked after us. Kevin Keegan gave me that chance which I am grateful for. His man-management skills were unbelieveable. He would have you going out believing you were the best player in the world which was ideal for someone like me. If we'd won 3-0 the previous week he would just come in two minutes from kick-off and say: 'Go and do it again'.

"Kenny Dalglish was also excellent at man-management. When the club tried to sell me behind his back to Middlesbrough and I failed the medical I rang him up and said: 'I've got bad news, I'll be coming back'. He said: 'It's not bad news for me. You're still in my plans.' That was nice to hear."

"Brian Kidd I knew from Manchester United; Ruud Gullit I was never really in with; and Graeme Souness, like Keegan and Dalglish, has great enthusiasm."

Today Gillespie and Blackburn are at Southampton. It was not, in the past, a fixture he looked forward to. Wingers always suffered at The Dell and Gillespie did so more than most. He recalled: "It was always a difficult place to play. I've never got a win there, not even with Manchester United. The year Rovers were relegated we were 3-1 up and drew 3-3. With Newcastle we were 1-0 up and lost 3-1; another time 2-0 up and they scored twice in injury time. You could say I'm looking forward to going to their new ground."