Hierro Waits For Bolton Opportunity

Last updated : 09 September 2004 By Mark Heys
Bolton Wanderers defender Fernando Hierro has said that he is more than happy to wait for his chance in the Trotters team.

The former Spanish international captain joined the Wanderers in the summer following a year in the Qatar league with Al-Rayyan and he says his time in England is going well so far.

"I am satisfied with what I am doing and how I am living. It has only been a month and you have to realise also that I arrived a month later than the rest of my team-mates, who benefited from the pre-season training," Hierro told SKY Sports.

The 36-year old claims that the English game hasn't changed too much since he was last in the country and says that the atmosphere of his new supporters at Bolton is helping him through the settling in period at the Reebok Stadium.

"What I have realised is that the game in England has changed little, the atmosphere in the stadium is still extraordinary, but other than that it has changed little from when I was last in England and this is good for me.

Hierro knows that he will have to wait for his opportunity in the first team but  is ready for the challenge should the Bolton manager Sam Allardyce wish to use his services.

Already he has impressed during a number of substitute appearances in the opening month of the season and his experience has proved vital amongst the rest of the squad.

"This is a team which is established with a squad that has been together for three or four years and I have to be patient and wait for when the trainer counts on me. I am relaxed and waiting for my opportunity.

"What is important about this challenge is that for me I have prepared myself sufficiently for it."