"FERNANDO Hierro is, without doubt, one of the biggest names in Spanish football.

I firmly believe he can become a star in the English game."

With those words, Sam Allardyce welcomed a true footballing legend to Bolton Wanderers.

The date was August 2, 2004, and, seeing the pride with which he announced Hierro's arrival, the Reebok boss clearly had high hopes that the Spaniard still had what it took to perform at Premiership level.

Four months later, the inclusion of Hierro's name on a list of seven players Allardyce was trying to offload to generate transfer funds, suggested the years had caught up with him.

Today, it is hard to imagine Wanderers without his towering influence.

Unfortunately, the clock is ticking and, if he goes through with his retirement plans, they may only have the benefit of his knowledge, experience and talent for another eight games.

Hierro obviously realised he was on borrowed time when he arrived from Qatar.

Asked how long it would take him to pick up where he had left off at Real Madrid a year earlier, he was cautious.

"Let's hope it's going to be as soon as possible," he said. "There are a lot of things to take into account when you talk about settling in.

"It's not just the football - it's a different club and a different culture. It's down to me, it's down to the support I get from my team-mates, the club and from Sam Allardyce."

Four defeats in his first five Premiership starts was hardly the stuff of which legends are made.

But, since his conversion from centre-back to central midfield, he has been a revelation. Imperious, influential and inspirational - and not only on the field.

In his all-too-brief Reebok spell, the three-times Champions League winner has played his way into the hearts of team-mates who consider themselves privileged just to train with one of the true Galacticos, who was one of the greatest defenders of his generation.

Gary Speed, a highly-respected international himself, suggests the fans only see a fraction of what Hierro has to offer.

"What a fantastic player and a fantastic guy," said the evergreen midfielder.

"It's a privilege to play in the same team as such a good player and a good guy.

"He's brought a lot to Bolton Wanderers on and off the pitch."

The younger end are in awe of the man who celebrated his 37th birthday on Wednesday. Tal Ben Haim, who joined Wanderers on the same day, sees Hierro as something of a personal tutor.

"Fernando is a fantastic personality. I keep learning from him every day," said the 22-year-old Israel international. "He speaks to me and helps me a lot and I am very grateful that I play with such an experienced player.

"I want to learn from the biggest players in the world and I think Fernando Hierro is one of them."

Kevin Nolan credits Hierro for helping him raise his game.

"It is hard not to improve when you are surrounded by quality players," he said. "Watching Fernando in training and being able to talk to him has been a genuine privilege.

"He has won so much in his career. He is still a quality player with a tremendous personality. Fernando has come here and shown a determination to prove he can play in English football."

Should Hierro be having second thoughts about retiring, he might do well to take a word of advice from one of the true Reebok greats, Gudni Bergsson, who delayed hanging up his boots for three years - and just got better and better.

Back at the Reebok for the Legends Dinner last Sunday, when he was voted fourth in the overall top 50 and the best Wanderers defender of all time, Bergsson was glowing in praise of the Spaniard.

"He shows that calmness and experience in midfield that is so valuable," said the revered former Wanderers captain.

"It's a testament to his great character that he is still doing so well at his age.

"Being realistic, it cannot have been easy coming to Bolton when you have done what he did at Real Madrid, especially having had that year out in Qatar.

"But he has worked really hard and he's now reaping the benefits and that is all credit to him."