I upset Celtic hardman Bobo Balde and Emile Heskey 'saved my life' says ex Liverpool star

Ex Liverpool star Danny Murphy has told how team-mate Emile Heskey “saved my life” after he was involved in a run-in with former Celtic hardman stopper Bobo Balde.

Murphy told the story of his brush with Bobo during a UEFA Cup clash with Martin O’Neill’s men that Celtic won on their run to the final in Seville. The former Reds midfielder “accidentally bumped into” fiery Frenchman Balde during a 1-1 draw at Parkhead and it wasn’t forgotten when the pair got into the tunnel at Celtic Park.

And the Englishman told how Heskey, no shrinking violet himself, came to his rescue. In an interview with talkSPORT, Murphy explained the incident: “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. 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. 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.”