IN our second feature for the 2009/10 season, which appears each Thursday, we're asking past and present players, plus the coaching staff, what has inspired them both in their professional and personal lives.

This week we chat to loan ranger Steven Reid.

Q1. Which teacher?

SR: There was an Italian PE teacher called Franco Dagostino at Richard Challoner School in Surrey. He was probably my biggest inspiration at school. He was always supportive and made sure I knuckled down with my schoolwork as well, which is just as important. I did well in my schoolwork and he was always there for advice We're still in touch and I sorted him out with Ireland v Italy tickets a few months ago.

Q2. Which song?

SR: One of my favourite tunes is by Massive Attack and it is called 'Unfinished Sympathy'. When I've played for Ireland we've had a bit of U2's 'Joshua Tree' on in the dressing room to fire us up before going out at Lansdowne Road.

Q3. Which person outside of football as a teenager?

SR: My dad, Clem. He always used to chauffeur me about to all my games up and down the country and was always there to support me.

Q4. Which coach as a youth team player?

SR: When I was at Millwall we had Mike Flanagan. I think his best spell as a player came at Charlton. He was a tough manager but he got us really fit. He got the best out of all the young players and got us ready for the step up to the first team.

Q5. Which film?

SR: 'The Shawshank Redemption'. It's just a great film!

Q6. Which manager?

SR: The managers that have got the best out of me. Mark McGhee when I was at Millwall. We won promotion to the Championship under him. At Blackburn, Mark Hughes, when we qualified for Europe and finished sixth in the league. We also got to the FA Cup semi-finals as well. That was probably the best spell I've had in my career and hopefully I can get back there if I stay fit.

Q7. Which book?

SR: I finished Paul McGrath's autobiography just a few weeks ago and that was brilliant. He's had his troubles with alcohol and an up and down life and career. But he did so well to get to where he got to with his background and how he was brought up. He's a real inspiration. He also had a lot of injuries as well, like I have. It was an inspirational book and I really enjoyed it.

Q8. Which famous person?

SR: John Barnes. He was my first real hero. He was my idol when I was growing up and was one of the main reasons why I supported Liverpool. I've been lucky enough to meet him a few times since. Some people say when they meet their idols it is a big let-down but he is a great man, is so easy to talk to and has even given me advice in the past. He's a great all-round inspiration.

Q9. Which team-mate in your career?

SR: Bobby Bowry was a big inspiration to me. He helped me as a youth team player and pro at Millwall. He used to give me a lot of advice on how to live my life and improve my game. He helped me off the field as well.

Q10. Which sportsperson outside of football?

SR: Roger Federer or Tiger Woods. Year in, year out they are always winning trophies They never lose that drive, ambition or desire in their sport. No matter how much they win they always want to improve themselves.