Source: Eurosport
Salgado looks to emulate Hierro
Michel Salgado hopes to fulfil a Fernando Hierro role at Blackburn having consulted the former Real Madrid captain before making his move to Ewood Park.
Sam Allardyce has already earmarked veteran right-back Salgado, who signed a two-year contract this week, to do the kind of job for him at Rovers that Hierro did at Bolton five seasons ago.
And, having decided to follow Hierro in swapping La Liga for Lancashire, Salgado revealed he wants to emulate his former Real team-mate in more ways than one.
"Maybe it is the same thing as with Hierro," Salgado said. "He was a very important player for Real Madrid, the last big captain there. I was talking with him about Sam Allardyce and he told me that he is a really good coach, that he likes the old players because he thinks it is important to have experience for the team."
Hierro, aged 36 when he signed, was a hugely influential figure both on and off the pitch during a year at the Reebok Stadium, and Salgado hopes to have a similar impact at Blackburn.
"I am nearly 34 but I really want to play and keep fit," he added. "I can help not only the team in the games but in the dressing room, the young players - show them about football and what competition is."
Salgado revealed it was his competitive nature that had persuaded him to get involved with the rigours of the Barclays Premier League rather than a step towards retirement.
"I have chosen Blackburn Rovers because they give me the opportunity to play in a really big competition," he said.
"The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. Maybe after Real Madrid I could have chosen the Emirates or Qatar to go and retire but I don't feel I can do that because, in my blood, I have competition.
"Blackburn is going to give me this - to play against Manchester United, against Chelsea, against Liverpool, against all the teams of England. For me, this is better because I have competition inside me."
