You’re here with the BBC covering England v Belgium in the third-place playoff at the World Cup. What do you think of Stadium St. Petersburg?
It’s the first time I’m here and it’s surprisingly very, very cool! I don’t mean the temperature, as it’s really hot, but it’s a really nice stadium, really easy to get about and the fans have come in early because there’s so much to see. The colours are great, I love the roof, it’s very different from most of the stadiums I’ve ever been to, so you guys have done a good job!
Have you enjoyed the World Cup so far?
Yes, Loved it, I’ve been all over, to Kazan, Samara and Sochi three times, to Ekaterinburg, who have a very interesting stadium let me tell you! But it’s great here in St. Petersburg and it’s my first time here. I’m with my colleague, Ian Dennis commentating for the BBC and he’s been here many times and loves it here, it’s one of his favourite stadiums. We’re both glad to be here and to experience it. It’s a great commentary position as well, thanks for giving us the half way line!
How does Stadium St. Petersburg compare to some of the stadiums you played at in your career? You played for Manchester United so you’ve seen some great stadiums.
It’s very different, it feels like an international stadium, it feels like a stadium that should be hosting international big games as well as league games. It’s very different and possibly a bit bigger than what I was used to playing in myself. It’s really nice and I like that it’s a bowl, that it’s symmetrical and the way it holds the atmosphere so well, it’s been done well.
When you return to the UK will you recommend to people to come and visit Russia?
Definitely! I only came to St. Petersburg yesterday and have looked around and it’s a stunning place, it really is. You walk around with your head in the sky and you end up bumping into people because the buildings are so nice. Russia has been fantastic, I enjoyed Moscow and the Russian Football Union have done unbelievable, it’s been a great World Cup and I’m glad to be finishing off my work right here.
