Living in the limelight and Richard Shaw aren't comfortable bedfellows, but he will be back page news for a day next week. A man who has pent over 20 years of his football career at just two clubs is sure to be reliable, solid and trustworthy. All the aforementioned are qualities that could be attributed to Shaw but the quiet man of Coventry will be under the spotlight next Tuesday. His 11-year tenure with the Sky Blues has been rewarded by a glittering testimonial against the champions of Scotland. Gordon Strachan will bring his all-singing, all dancing first team to the Ricoh Arena in what is a fitting tribute for this 37-year-old. Shaw has been a stalwart for both Coventry and Crystal Palace during his career and as he told givemefootball's Ian Clarkson, it has been great fun.
Q:WILL YOU UNDERTAKE ANY SHOWBOATING IN YOUR TESTIMONIAL?
A:Showboating? I don't think so. If I pass the ball over ten yards then that is showboating by my standards! I know my limits and what I am capable of and I have never played above that. I am a solid defender who gives 100 per cent every time I play. If I wanted to go and spray balls all over the pitch I would go and play in midfield, but there are far better players than me who can do that. I am going to enjoy the night even though I don't like making headlines. I always want to blend into the background but Dennis Wise told me I should make the most of it and I hope it is a special evening.
Q:WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST MEMORY AS A COVENTRY PLAYER?
A:It has to be the last day of the 1996-97 season. We were completely out of it and looked dead and buried for weeks. However, on the final day, both Middlesbrough and Sunderland lost and we won at Tottenham to survive. Okay, finishing fourth from bottom is nothing to celebrate and it was quite embarrassing really. We beat Chelsea and won at Liverpool in the last month of the season, which was emotionally draining.
Q:HAVE YOU MADE ANY DECISION ON NEXT SEASON AS YET?
A:It has been fantastic at Coventry and I am not sure what will happen next season, but you reach an age where you have visited every hotel in England. You are always told what to do and where to go and I haven't had a Christmas off in 20 years. Don't get me wrong, it is the best job in the world and I know I am privileged. I will just assess it again in the summer.
Q:WHO IS THE BEST MANAGER YOU HAVE WORKED UNDER?
A:Gordon Strachan is top drawer. He is the best manager I have ever worked under. He taught me how to live my life properly regarding dietary needs. I trained properly and became very professional under his management. He didn't mind you having a beer and he knew we had a good team spirit, so he wanted to keep that. But if the training session wasn't right he would cancel it and say 'see you all at 3pm'. It didn't matter what you were doing in the afternoon, you had to be there, so it didn't happen very often. All the lads knew where we stood.
Q:DID YOU NEVER FANCY MOVING ON?
A:A lot of players have wanted to move around, but I always wanted to stay still. My family are still in Surrey and I kept saying to them I will be back down south. However, Gordon Strachan kept on giving me new contracts, so it didn't go according to plan! Before I knew it I had racked up 11 enjoyable years at the club.
Q:WHAT IS HARDER – THE PREMIERSHIP OR THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
A:Having played in both leagues I reckon it is harder in the Championship. That sounds bizarre, but you are playing two games a week between August and November and then comes the congested Christmas period. It doesn't really calm down until March. Obviously the strikers are better player in the top flight but they are also more enjoyable to play against. They don't always chase as many lost causes but the forwards in the Championship run after every – and I mean every - ball! It is always helter-skelter and fully committed.* Coventry face Celtic next Tuesday – April 11 at the Ricoh Arena (8pm). Tickets £12 adults, £6 concessions are available on 0870 421 1987. Press option 1 for ticket office
