Former Liverpool midfielder reveals how Celtic’s Bobo Balde almost got him

The Celtic Star

·5 September 2024

Former Liverpool midfielder reveals how Celtic’s Bobo Balde almost got him

Former England and Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has revealed that Emile Heskey saved him from a doing at the hands of Celtic’s Bobo Balde…

The player-turned-pundit told the story of how he had an accidental falling out with Balde in the 1-1 draw at Celtic Park in 2003.

“Emile was a nice lad, quiet lad but a great lad, and we played Celtic away once and I accidentally fell out with Bobo Balde,” Murphy told talkSPORT.

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“We went on a run and I accidentally bumped into him and thought I hit him but I didn’t. He started giving me loads so I gave him a bit back, as you do, which was a mistake.

“I just should have shut up because it’s not really me to get involved in that.”

Murphy would soon regret his decision to attempt to engage in an altercation with Bobo as the pair met in the tunnel. You would have to assume that Heskey has saved Murphy a serious sore one at the hands of the 6ft5 defender.

“As we’re coming off I caught Bobo Balde in the corner of the tunnel with his top off but I didn’t assume it was for me, which it was.

“As I got a bit closer he came flying towards me and Emile has jumped in and pinned him, stopped him, but Emile’s strength saved my life, never mind my day.

“He just told him to calm down. He’s got that side in him, I think his uncles were all doormen and he’s got that side to him.”

Martin O’Neill’s side were held by Liverpool that night with Heskey cancelling out Henrik’s early strike. Celtic would win the return meeting at Anfield, with Alan Thompson and John Hartson scoring.

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Former Liverpool midfielder reveals how Celtic’s Bobo Balde almost got him | OneFootball