It’s not often I stay down into St James’s in London but then again it’s not often I go out for a meal with Alan Hansen.

With the World Cup starting this week I’ve been invited out to meal at Quaglino’s hosted by a supplier.

Quaglino’s is a :

“dazzling restaurant, bar and private room was built on the site of the old Quaglino’s, the most famous of London’s “society restaurants”. Today the restaurant retains the spirit and glamour of its famous past, with a buzzing restaurant, busy bar with live music and an elegant private room.”

Seated at the bar was Hansen, talking freely with supplier and customer. In the background was music supplied by a couple of chaps working their way steadily through the Bossa song book and currently in the middle of “The Girl from Ipanema”.

After introductions and a few glasses of champagne we were off to the private dining room for a very enjoyable meal, some wine and an evening of stories and insight from the world of football.