Gary Lineker was back in familiar territory on Saturday night as he returned to free-to-air TV and even kicked off his ITV stint with a brief cameo as a presenter.
Lineker, who presented BBC’s Match of the Day for 26 years until he departed the corporation last May, was announced on Friday as a pundit for ITV’s coverage of Germany against Ivory Coast in Group E of the World Cup.
However, Lineker started his appearance on ITV with a typically light-hearted moment after he started to present the show before presenter Laura Woods interjected in comical fashion.
“Thank you very much for joining us on ITV for this one. Another day, another game, another channel,” Lineker started before being cut off by Woods.
Woods added: “Gary, that’s my job!”
Lineker replied: “Sorry, sorry. Old habits!”
ITV took a look back on Lineker’s own World Cup history before coverage turned to Germany’s match with Ivory Coast and the former England forward reflected on his golden boot in 1986 and being involved in the ‘Hand of God’ game against Argentina – where Diego Maradona also produced a wonderful individual goal.
The ex-BBC host was also asked about Harry Kane drawing level with his record World Cup tally of 10 goals for England after the current captain struck a brace against Croatia on Wednesday.
“I am not a violent man, but I did kick the door down! No, I was genuinely pleased for Harry. Obviously it’s taken him an extra World Cup to do it and there is quite a lot of penalties in there, but we’ll give him that,” Lineker said with a smirk.
“Yeah, true (less minutes). In all seriousness, Harry is a way better all-round number nine than I was. I was very much a penalty box player and Harry does it all doesn’t he?
“He drops back, his passing range is fabulous and I think he is our best ever number nine.”
Lineker will present ITV game show The Box later this year and could not resist a slight dig at old employees BBC after they have drawn criticism for not being based in America for the World Cup, especially given ITV’s eye-catching studio backdrop in New York.
“I have been doing a show daily for Netflix, we’re Times Square but I did desperately want to come and see your set,” Lineker said.
“I think it’s absolutely amazing and I can confirm that it is real. What a backdrop.”
The light-hearted nature of Lineker’s appearance continued when Woods allowed the 65-year-old to take the show into the break, but the veteran anchor did praise the “fabulous job” of his female colleague before focus turned to the World Cup action.
