McAteer admits the chance to return to Prenton Park to work alongside his former Liverpool team-mate was just too good to turn down. Since he left his role as Rovers’ player-coach two years ago he has been focused on his media work.

"I really enjoyed my time here under Brian Little and then Ronnie Moore and I’m really excited about being back," he said.

"I loved doing the reserves and I got a real buzz out of it.

"When I was not offered another deal I was really disappointed. I decided to take a couple of months out but that got longer and longer.

"When John rang me and asked me to be part of his team, I did have to think about it.

"But I believe in how he wants to coach and the way he wants to play.

"When I was at Liverpool we had a young team. Rushie and John Barnes were the ones who put their arm around you and brought you on. I learned so much from them.

"John is a bit of a purist but he knows at times we’re going to need to mix it and we will certainly be looking at players who can do both.

"As soon as we knew we were coming in here the first thing we did was look at the squad.

"We’ve got eight on contract, six out of contract and a load of up and coming kids. We spoke about the way we wanted to play and identified who we felt could come in and do that job.

"When I look at Tranmere it’s like a brand new house 10 years ago which hasn’t been decorated since. It’s gone a little bit sad. What we need is enthusiasm from everyone through from the girls in the ticket office to the playing staff.

"If we all pull together then we can put this club back where it belongs and that’s in the Championship."