Gillespie: When Sir Alex rings, you can’t say no

I wanted to get your reaction to the news last night that Premier League players have come together to launch this initiative to raise funds for the NHS. What do you make of the new scheme they’ve come up with?

“I think it was unfair what [Health Secretary] Matt Hancock was coming out with and now the players have reacted to that in the best possible way. With the NHS, these people are risking their lives for others at this time and it’s important that they get the right backing with things like this to try and raise money.”

Keith, you were part of the Class of ’92 when you came over from Northern Ireland. What were those experiences like? Do you ever look back and think about them?

“Oh absolutely. It’s probably a one-off side we had that year in terms of the players that came through. It was a fantastic side to be a part of and I think all the lads helped each other. We were in and out of first-team squads, but I don’t think we’d have progressed as quickly if it weren’t for being in that youth team as a group and getting into the first team together. You only have to look at the names that came through and the careers they went on to have.”

When you came over as a young, talented winger from Northern Ireland, were you saddled with the ‘new George Best’ mantra?

“Yeah, I think that’s just natural. I think I probably tried to emulate him off the pitch rather than on it. I think that’s natural and I think that’s something that happens to any young lad from Northern Ireland. With me being a winger like George Best there were a few more comparisons. I’m sure the likes of Sammy McIllroy and Norman Whiteside had that same thing. It’s just the way it is in terms of what a great icon George Best is around the world, but particularly in Northern Ireland.”