WHEN Gary Lineker put Roy Hodgson firmly on the spot on live television last month, we were granted a revealing insight into the Liverpool manager in waiting.

“Should I introduce you as Fulham’s Roy Hodgson or as the new manager of Liverpool Football Club?”quizzed the former England striker turned BBC anchorman.

Resisting the opportunity to give his World Cup paymasters a scoop, Hodgson’s response was as dignified as Lineker’s mischief was lacking in tact.

“The Fulham manager, please,” he said calmly.

Hodgson has since admitted he bumped into Jamie Carragher in Port Elizabeth but resisted the chance to “really speak to him.”

“That would have been too soon anyway,” he added.

The 62-year-old told us yesterday that his appointment was only finalised earlier this week.

Still, even if he had an inkling of the next port of call on his much-travelled managerial career, he wasn’t going to start blabbing until everything was signed and sealed.

Out of respect for Fulham as much as anything else, he preferred to conduct his business properly.

From his pledge not to return to Craven Cottage and plunder the likes of Brede Hangeland, to his meeting in person with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher last night, Hodgson is a gentleman.

Wise and discreet, he again summoned his powers of diplomacy when asked about his wife’s football allegiance.

Sheila Hodgson hails from Liverpool albeit “some 50 years or so ago, so you don’t need to make a big thing out of that” her husband pointed out.

Still, the pause for thought and smile on his face told us she leaned towards the other side of Stanley Park – but he was never going to volunteer this information if he wasn’t asked.

“I think it was a classic error because she came from a catholic family and I think they foolishly thought Everton was the catholic club and that was that,” he chuckled.

Hodgson holds many of the characteristics embodied by the so-called Liverpool Way – not that it’s been present anywhere near Anfield much lately.