McAteer on LFC Legends' special bond
Jason McAteer has talked up the special bond between the members of the Liverpool FC Legends team ahead of their meeting with Real Madrid on Sunday.
The former Reds and Republic of Ireland regular is part of the squad that is preparing to take on Los Blancos in a hotly-anticipated charity fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
McAteer has the chance to line up alongside old friends such as Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman again when manager Ian Rush names his team.
A number of stars with whom the 43-year-old did not play during his spell at the club - such as Jerzy Dudek, Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell - will also be involved.
He says there is a unique connection between all ex-Reds, though, even if their paths did not cross at Anfield.
"We've come up against Manchester United and Chelsea and Arsenal and they don't seem to have this bond," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"It goes right the way back to the '65 lads like Ian St John, Ian Callaghan, right through up to then Ian Rush, Jan Molby, John Aldridge and Ronnie Whelan.
"We all spend a lot of time together playing golf, then going out to dinner, weddings and christenings they always seem to turn up, and then we all get together and have a really, really good time.
"When we get the chance to go and do something official in a football capacity, which we're going to do at the weekend, it makes it a bit more special.
"For me, being a Liverpool fan and watching these players like the '65 lot and the things they were winning right through to the '80s and the '90s, when I get the chance to run out on the pitch with them it is like a dream come true for me."
McAteer made 14 appearances for Liverpool in Europe, featuring in both the UEFA Cup and UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.
But he never had the chance to take on Real Madrid on their own turf and is understandably excited by the prospect.
"It was a place that unfortunately I never got to play, so I'm really looking forward to it," he continued.
"We've had plenty of legends games over the last two years and they've obviously got bigger and bigger, South Africa being a real highlight a couple of seasons ago.
"We went over there and there was about 35,000 turned up. The adrenaline was running and it was dealt with like a proper game as well and it was a fantastic occasion.
"So then when the club ring you up and say, 'Do you want to go and play Real Madrid in the Bernabeu?' - it was always going to be a yes."
While the talent of an impressive Legends line-up isn't in doubt, McAteer admits his teammates' legs aren't perhaps what they used to be.
He doesn't expect the players to declare any knocks, however, with everyone desperate to feature.
"I think we've all got our ailments of some sort," he continued.
"When you finish playing and you stop training, your body shuts down a bit and then when you run out in these legend games and you're playing for charity, your body gets into a bit of shock and it takes three or four, even five days to recover.
"I played in a charity game a few weeks ago up at the Academy so I'm still feeling the effects of that.
"I've been to see the fellow who sorts my knee out and he's given me the all-clear for Sunday, so I might get an hour out of the knee.
"The lads will [go to physios] but they won't want to tell anyone that they're going for treatment because they won't want anyone not [picking] them.
"So the lads will be keeping it quiet, going to get treatment, wrapping themselves up in cotton wool, I'm sure they are."
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