The Saturday Interview

COLIN Hendry has celebrated winning the English Premiership with Blackburn Rovers and the treble with Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers - some of the best times of his life.

But football was placed into proper perspective for the Ewood legend a little under two years ago.

An anguish beyond his worst nightmares occurred when wife Denise was left fighting for her life after what should have been routine cosmetic surgery at Broughton Park private hospital.

The 38-year-old kept a bedside vigil at Royal Preston Hospital, where Denise had been admitted to the intensive care unit, praying she would pull through the horrendous ordeal which had left her in a coma and suffering from septicaemia.

Thankfully, Denise eventually regained consciousness and has gone on to make an excellent recovery.

But for one of the first times in his life, football took a back seat as it quickly hit home what Hendry valued most in life.

So, once his contract at Bolton Wanderers ended, after a loan spell at Blackpool, so too did his playing days - and the driving seat duly took over!

Many footballers can afford to enjoy a reasonably peaceful retirement once they've hung up their boots.

Hendry got a job as a taxi driver ... for children Rheagan (14), Kyle (12), Callum (6) and four-year-old Niamh, who he affectionately calls "The Boss!".

"I'm at home 24/7 for the first time in 20 years and it's great," said the former central defender.

"I'm the modern day family taxi, doing school runs and everything else!

"There were offers from other clubs at the end of last season - good offers from teams in the Middle East, America, Scotland and two or three in England.

"But you've got to hold your hand up sometimes and say 'enough's enough'.

"What happened with Denise - that, and nothing else, brought everything to a head."

Other than his children, property investments made over the years keep Hendry more than busy.

Not to mention two-year-old Jack Russell Mac, who dotes on the ex-Scotland international.

Any spare time could allow for quiet reflection on a long, well-travelled and successful career. And with the Manchester City v Blackburn Premiership clash taking place at the City of Manchester Stadium this afternoon, he recalls with great fondness his time at both clubs.

Ex-Rovers manager Don Mackay, Hendry's boss at Dundee, brought the Scot to England when he came to Ewood as a fresh-faced 21-year-old for a fee of just £30,000.

"Blackburn people are really down to earth and from the moment I arrived they treated me as one of their own," he said.

However, a winning goal in the Full Members Cup against Charlton at Wembley in 1987 probably had much to do with that.

He joked: "There can't be many Scotsmen who have scored a winning goal at Wembley!"

After leaving in November 1989 for Manchester City, the prodigal son returned to Rovers - this time under Kenny Dalglish for a fee of £700,000 - after just two years at Maine Road.

As at Ewood, his Braveheart attitude and amiable manner had a profound effect on the Kippax as City fans crowned him their player of the year after his first season in which he played just 25 games.

"I would have liked to have stayed at Manchester City because I enjoyed my time there and they are a great club to play for," he revealed.

Yet, at the same time, Hendry was delighted to be back in Blackburn, where he was the rock around which the defence was built as he played a pivotal role in Rovers being crowned Premiership champions in 1995.

"That's not going to be repeated by anyone else apart from Manchester United or Arsenal very easily," said Hendry, who admits to a lingering anger at suggestions Rovers 'bought' the title.

"One thing that no one can really get on Blackburn is that Jack Walker built the side, but he also sold the side and probably paid for the stadium on the back of it. That's how clever a guy he was," he said.

"People often had a pop at Blackburn about buying the championship - but is that not what they're all doing now?

"The biggest clubs have got the most money and in turn pay the highest transfer fees.

"For everyone who had a pop at Blackburn, it's hypocritical really because they're all at it.

"You're looking at clubs like Chelsea who have gone on to spend around £150 million, but

I don't think you'd find them being able to sell their team for the same amount they paid for it."

Hendry added: "There was a great mix and a great combination at Blackburn - a great team with Jack, Ray (Harford) and Kenny and a lot more other people besides.

"I enjoyed my time there. My heart's at Ewood Park and nowhere else, and Rovers had the best of me."

Many fans hoped, and believed Hendry would see out the rest of his playing days at Ewood, but he admits he couldn't resist the chance to return to his homeland when Rangers came calling.

"I had an opportunity to go back to Scotland and I'd always said that if ever that happened I'd seriously consider it," explained Hendry, who cost the Glasgow giants £4 million.

"The rest is history. But I'm lucky that I've been able to go back to Blackburn since and have been welcomed with open arms."

In fact, Hendry was at Ewood just last week, to see Rovers take on former club Bolton.

However, due to a self-imposed ban on watching Rovers in action - as he hasn't seen them win this season - he won't be in Manchester this afternoon.

But he remains confident Rovers can turn their season around.

"It's a really massive game for both teams today," said Hendry, who once captained City in Noel Brotherston's testimonial at Ewood Park in 1990.

"I think they've got players who can be big players for the club. Paul Gallagher looks like he's got a chance, I know Barry Ferguson and I could foresee him as possibly being a future captain of Blackburn.

"He's had the worst possible start with the injury he's received, when he'd actually turned the corner.

"I spoke to Lorenzo Amoruso at the weekend and I think he's eager to get back to show people why he came and the ability he's got.

"I played against Brett Emerton for Scotland and I truly thought he had a chance of being one of the world's top players because he was doing things in the game that a lot of other international players were doing as well.

"He looks to have suffered a loss of confidence probably because of how the team's suffering with confidence.

"It's a shame because these are very good players. They just want to get themselves into a routine where they feel they can show people what their capabilities are."

As for Hendry himself, don't be surprised if he one day turns to coaching or management.

He said: "I owe the game everything and I'd love to, at some stage, maybe give back a bit of what I've learned and what I've been through."