GEORGIOS SAMARAS AND MADJID BOUGHERRA SPEAK EXCLUSIVELY ON BBC ALBA’S ‘CLUB TV’
CLUB TV
BBC ALBA – Thursday 27th January 21:00
CLUB TV returns to BBC ALBA with exclusive behind-the-scenes access at Celtic and Rangers, including interviews with Old Firm stars Georgios Samaras and Madjid Bougherra as well as managers Neil Lennon and Walter Smith.
This week’s show, broadcast on Thursday 27th January at 9pm, will hear from Greek striker Samaras who discusses his own future at Celtic Park and confirms he is in contract talks to extend his stay with the club.
Samaras explains: “When you are at a big club and every year you are trying to win titles, you can’t find a better place to be and I want to be part of this club.
“I can say I never spoke to other teams in the summer or just now and I have never had an offer from another club. My priority is to stay here.”
CLUB TV also catches up with manager Neil Lennon, who tells of the need to both balance the books and keep players who want to play for Celtic at the club. The Hoops gaffer also talks about new signing Freddie Ljungberg and what he will bring to the side in the coming months.
Also featured is on-loan goalie Fraser Forster, who comes under the spotlight in this month’s Celtic Mastermind, whilst winger Niall McGinn talks over his favourite moments of his career so far.
Over at Rangers, Madjid Bougherra also speaks about the transfer speculation surrounding himself and his teammates but maintains that players are professional enough not to let it affect their form on the pitch.
Bougherra says: “From the last two years I’m here, I don’t remember any times when a player was troubled, or not concentrating, as a result of transfer rumours.
“We need to stay professional. Experience helps you take this transfer speculation in your stride, and keep working, because if you keep working, whether the rumour is true or not, the big move will come one day.”
Meanwhile, Walter Smith gives his thoughts on plans for the reconstruction of the SPL and Scottish football. He says: “It’s a very difficult decision for the SPL to make. I do believe that the future of Scottish football is in their hands right at the present moment. It’s not an easy decision for anyone to make.
“From my own point of view I just hope that whatever they do brings them a level of success and keeps their football alive and well. There’s no doubt that unless something positive comes out of all the meetings that we’ve had, and that there are changes made to try and attract people back to our game, then we will have serious problems in the future.”
The CLUB TV team also speak to Rangers starlet Jamie Ness about his rise to prominence whilst on-loan winger Vladimir Weiss reveals some secrets from the Ibrox squad in this month’s ‘In the Dressing Room’ feature.
CLUB TV is presented by former club players Tom Boyd and Arthur Numan respectively, along with Gaelic Sports anchor Calum Macaulay and is produced for BBC ALBA by mneTV. The show will be repeated on Friday 28th January at 11:45pm.