You joined Borussia Dortmund in 1996 on a free switch after leaving Motherwell. Your transfer got here throughout a transformative time for soccer, with the Bosman ruling reshaping the panorama in Europe. Did you’ve got different choices earlier than selecting Borussia Dortmund, and what led you to hitch them?
“That’s a straightforward query—as a result of there weren’t some other choices. No one else was . That’s why I needed to go on trial. Imagine it or not, I truly spoke to Jean-Marc Bosman a few years in the past. With out him, no gamers would have been in a position to transfer the best way they do now. Assembly him was an interesting expertise, and it occurred by certainly one of these occasions the place they requested me to take part in a documentary, which aired on BT.
“I used to be one of many first gamers to learn from the ruling. Gamers like Brian McClair, who moved from Motherwell, and John Collins, who went to Monaco, had been a part of that period. Each footballer owes Bosman an enormous debt for what he endured. Watching the documentary, you realise the hardships he confronted. His work modified soccer ceaselessly.
“As for me, I needed to undergo trials. I used to be arrange by a Dutch agent and performed trial video games elsewhere earlier than shifting to Dortmund. I had 4 trial matches there, and issues took off from there.”
Throughout your first few weeks at Dortmund, how did you discover the usual of play? What was it like becoming a member of a staff with world-class gamers like Stefan Klos, Matthias Sammer, Andreas Möller, and Stéphane Chapuisat?
“They had been world-class, no query. Transferring from Motherwell to Dortmund was like going from one excessive to a different. The usual, the expectations, the dimensions of the membership, and the unimaginable fanbase—it was all huge.
“The gamers you talked about, together with others like Karl-Heinz Riedle and Júlio César, made up an unimaginable squad. The distinction in scale and high quality was incomparable to what I had skilled earlier than in Scotland. It was a privilege to be a part of a staff of that calibre.”
You talked about the leap in high quality between your earlier golf equipment and Dortmund. How did you adapt to life on the membership, particularly contemplating the legacy you’ve left there, together with profitable the Champions League?
“I knew I needed to elevate my recreation to match the extent of the gamers round me. Ottmar Hitzfeld noticed one thing in me that maybe others hadn’t. He molded me into the form of participant he wanted, and recreation intelligence was key to my adaptation. At that stage, you needed to suppose and play shortly, usually with only one or two touches, however I used to be snug with that.
“I needed to perceive my position within the staff and work laborious to construct relationships with my teammates. The competitors in Germany was far higher than in Scotland, so I couldn’t afford to play on the identical stage as I had earlier than. It was about elevating the bar and testing myself each day.”
You excelled within the Bundesliga and within the Champions League throughout your season at Dortmund. In Europe, you defeated groups like Atlético Madrid and Manchester United in your approach to the Champions League ultimate the place you confronted Juventus. How proud are you of that marketing campaign and the ultimate itself as Dortmund defeated Juventus 3-1 to win with you turning into the primary UK participant to win the Champions League with a overseas membership?
“The Champions League was a particular expertise, however the large video games by no means fazed me. Taking part in within the Bundesliga had already uncovered me to world-class expertise, so I used to be prepared for these challenges.
“By way of the ultimate itself, Juventus had been heavy favourites and when Del Piero scored after Riedle’s two targets for us, it felt like momentum had shifted. However, fortunately, Lars Ricken got here on, and along with his first contact, lobbed the goalkeeper off an excellent Andreas Möller go.
“That aim sealed it, and when the whistle blew, it was pure chaos. Taking part in within the Champions League is one factor, however profitable it and lifting that trophy is an unmatched expertise.
“I knew the followers would prove of their hundreds, and the environment can be electrical. Taking part in Juventus within the ultimate on the Olympic Stadium was extraordinary. To be the primary British participant to win the Champions League with a overseas membership is a part of historical past, and nobody can take that away.
“I don’t dwell on these moments a lot, however they catapulted my profession. Beating Manchester United within the semifinals was notably satisfying. Roy Keane talked about our battle in his autobiography; we revered one another’s mindset and method to the sport. At Outdated Trafford, I knew if we scored, it will be very powerful for them to beat us.”
Lastly, Paul, what was it prefer to elevate the European Cup? Did it carry again recollections of your early days at St. Mirren or Motherwell, contemplating how far you had come?
“If you’re within the second, you don’t actually mirror in your journey. These recollections come later, after your profession is over. On the time, I used to be targeted on the current.
“I earned my place in that Dortmund staff and labored laborious to remain there, understanding how tough it was to regain a spot when you misplaced it. The followers took to me straight away, which helped immensely. My focus was on profitable video games, and that mindset outlined my profession from then on.
“Successful the Champions League is the very best honour in European soccer. It was an unimaginable time and a profession spotlight that I’ll at all times cherish.”