Walters backs Souey to win

Former Wolves winger Mark Walters today said Graeme Souness would want to take Wolves into the Champions League if rumours about his takeover proved true.

Walters, one of Souness' most loyal and successful signings for Rangers and Liverpool, insists the former manager is a winner and would only have got involved if he was deadly serious about it.

"I think it's good for Wolves fans. If he fails, it won't be for lack of enthusiasm," said Walters.

"Everything he does, he puts 100 per cent into and he won't be going in at Wolves just for the sake of it.

"He would only consider this if he knew he could make a success of it. He wouldn't be happy with where Wolves are now.

"He would want to get promotion, but then he wouldn't be happy with Wolves just being in the Premier League. He would want take them into the Champions League."

Walters believes Souness is deadly serious about his interest.

"He wouldn't just be getting involved just to boost someone's ego," said the former winger. "He would only get involved if he thought he could have the best team."

Walters, who served Wolves on loan from Liverpool in 1994-95 and is now a coach with Villa's Academy, is convinced a takeover by Souness would only mean good news for fans.

"It doesn't surprise me he wants to take over a club because he's football-mad - he lives and breathes the game," said the 42-year-old.

"Money doesn't enter into it - he just wants to be the best at whatever he can at whatever he does. He wanted to be the best player, he wanted to be the best manager and he'll want to be the best chairman.

"Wolves are potentially a massive club so this is exactly the sort of project that will get him going.

"He wouldn't want to mess around with a club that has no potential or something he couldn't get excited about - or one that he didn't think was worthwhile.

"He likes to be involved with things that are successful and with the right push, that's what would happen at Wolves.

"There's so much hassle involved with being a chairman or manager and you have to ask yourself, does he need it?

"But because football's like a drug to him, he does need it and that's what makes him a special manager and what would make him a special chairman.

"He just wants to be the best he can. I've seen him smash people in five-a-sides."

Should Souness take over, he already has a good relationship with manager Mick McCarthy.

But Walters says Souness would not have any hesitation in changing things around if he thinks the former Republic of Ireland boss isn't doing the business for him.

"If Mick McCarthy isn't doing the best job, then Graeme would probably take over himself," warned Walters.

"He's a winner. I'm sure he'll give Mick all the time he needs to do the job, but I know it won't be any old pals' act.

"He's a good manager. He had a reputation as being a very fair manager and I got on very well with him. He signed me twice and helped my career a lot.: