'I snubbed Kenny for Reds move'

That's the view of the former Wimbledon man himself, who revealed to us that he was the subject of intense interest from the Scot 12 months prior to making the move to Anfield.

The Liverpool boss at that time, Graeme Souness, was locked in a battle with his old Reds teammate to secure the signature of the highly-rated centre back, but his exit in January 1994 meant Scales's dream move to L4 appeared to be in tatters.

Indeed, he wasn't able to form part of Roy Evans's revamped squad until the following season, when he helped the club secure the Coca Cola Cup.

It was hailed as the start of something big for a young Reds side brimming with talent, but proved to be a false dawn for both Liverpool and Scales.

His Anfield career lasted just two years in which he featured 94 times, scoring four goals.

So does he harbour any regrets at not completing the move to Ewood Park and being a part of Dalglish's championship-winning outfit?

"Not for one second," he tells us.

"Kenny wanted me at Blackburn and Souness was keen to take me to Liverpool. It was an interesting choice in front of me. Obviously Kenny is THE legend and has a tremendous amount of pull, but Liverpool is Liverpool. You are hard pushed to find a bigger club in the world.

"Nothing happened then but 12 months later, fortunately for me, Liverpool were still interested and I signed for Roy (Evans).

"It was a massive relief because I had initially thought I had missed my opportunity to go there.

"I relished every moment of my time with Liverpool and it was a massive heartache to leave after just two years.

"I felt it was time to move on and thought it was clear that I should go. I look back and think that maybe I should have stayed, but I went to Spurs and endured a series of injuries.

"That was the beginning of the end for me and as a result I look back at my time at Liverpool as the most special time in my career."

Scales was a prominent figure in the Roy Evans side many pundits were tipping to go on and bring the glory days back to Anfield.

The former boot room boy transformed the Reds' fortunes as he implemented a formation that saw Scales feature alongside the likes of Neil Ruddock and Phil Babb in a three man central defence.

"I felt comfortable playing in a back three, whether I was on the right or in the middle of it," says Scales.

"Of course, we had to work hard at it. You need to get everyone familiar with the system so that it works when you enter a game situation.

"I felt we developed that. When I look back at that period with Liverpool it is always with a sense of frustration.

"The talent that was in that team speaks for itself. Ultimately we didn't clinch the success that group of players should have enjoyed.

"They were a great bunch of lads and I had a phenomenal time at Liverpool. In many ways it was the pinnacle of my career. I feel privileged to have been part of such an amazing club."

He continues: "Robbie Fowler always stood out for me. He had just burst onto the scene and was an incredible talent. He is one of the most gifted goalscorers of the last 20 years.

"Then you have the likes of Steve McManaman and John Barnes. I used to love watching Big Jan Molby play too. He was just a master with the ball.

"Then there's Ian Rush - an inspiration. He was just such a legend and someone I looked up to.

"We had a great blend of youth and top class, experienced players.

"We certainly had the ingredients to be hugely successful, but like I say, frustratingly that never materialised."

His Anfield stay may not have lasted as long as he had hoped, but it wasn't without its highlights.

Indeed, it remains a golden spell of free flowing football for supporters who grew up in that era and Scales responds enthusiastically when asked the somewhat cliché poser about his finest moments in L4.

"The Coca Cola Cup win in 1995 was obviously a nice moment because it was fantastic to pick up some silverware," he says.

"I was really proud to be called up for England during my time at Anfield and went on to get three caps.

"The game against Newcastle when we won 4-3 with Stan Collymore's last minute winner was incredible too. The hairs on the back of my neck still stand up when I see highlights of that game.

"Then there are the simple things; like touching the famous This is Anfield sign for the first time in September 1994 when we played West Ham. I remember getting ready to run out ahead of kick off and feeling immensely proud to be a Liverpool player."

With the likes of Fowler, McManaman and Rush in the side, Scales' mandate may not have involved contributing to the scoresheet, but he still chipped in with four during his time in a red shirt.

When quizzed about his final effort in a 4-0 League Cup win over Manchester City however, his response is somewhat surprising.

"I can't remember my goals," he laughs. "I know that's really bad, but I was more concerned with keeping them out. If you asked me to remember my mistakes then I can probably recall those occasions because I was extremely hard on myself - but not the goals. They were just a bonus for me."

Since a series of frustrating injuries put an end to his career, Scales has reinvented himself several times over, most notably as a businessman/entrepreneur.

There was even a spell in management - as the coach of the England beach ball team.

"I did that for three years and it was a lot of fun," he says.

"We mainly played in tournaments in Europe. We played against France when Eric Cantona was playing for them. The Portuguese were always very good. I felt they were the best side that we came up against.

"Our team was made up of a lot of ex-players who hadn't really made it at the highest level. They'd been at professional clubs but not made the breakthrough.

"They were probably players that you would say are more suited to a small-sided game.

"Beach soccer is a completely different type of game."

More recently Scales has spearheaded Wembley's exhibition of champions, a collection of memorabilia that includes medals from some of the finest players to have ever graced Europe's elite competition.

It is a project that has captured his imagination and one of a series of personal highs since he hung up his boots in 2001.

But what has been his finest hour post-professional footballer?

"I've been lucky enough to go to every Champions League final since 1999 and the 2005 one in Istanbul is probably my greatest non-playing football moment," he adds.

"Seeing Liverpool come back from 3-0 down and lift the trophy for a fifth time was something I'll never forget.

"The club still means a lot to me and I'm overjoyed that Kenny is back in charge. Hopefully he can return them to the glories of yesteryear in the not too distant future."