HOW I UNWIND

The pull of the beerkellar, lederhosen and the umpapa band is one that evades Paul Lambert. The Scotland international, now a European Cup winner with Borussia Dortmund, rarely has his hand round the handle of a stein.

Instead when he is not playing or training with his German club, his hand is usually round son Christopher, who will be three this weekend.

''I do not get much time off, because in Germany being a footballer really is a full-time job,'' Lambert says. ''But when I am away from football I spend most of my time with my family - my wife and my son. I do not get as much time to spend with them as I would like.''

The Lambert family travel round different parts of Germany when they have time together, but christopher sets the agenda. Wherever they are, they look for a park.

''With language barrier, and because he is too young to start kindergarten Christopher does not have many pals, so Monica and I like to take him out and about to play,'' father Lambert says.

That is not to say that young Christopher is bereft of the local language. ''He can count, and if you can get him in the right mood he will tell you the German words he knows. But he is funny that way,'' Lambert says. He is learning something of geography though, on his travels.

''One of our favourite places to go is called Oberhausen. It is a complex about half an hour by car from Dortmund, where there is plenty for Christopher to do, and there are restaurants and shops for Monica and me.''

Eating is another way that Paul Lambert relaxes. Dortmund is a cosmopolitan city with plenty cuisine to offer.

''Italian restaurants are our favourite. A large number of Italians have settled in the town so there are plenty to choose from,'' he says. ''We have eaten in some German restaurants, but while I like living there and playing football, I do not have much time for their food.''

While always a man committed to his family, relaxation time has changed since Lambert left Scotland. ''I used to play golf almost every day. Since I joined Dortmund I have not had a game of golf all year.''

The Lambert family also return home to Scotland whenever they can. That is often when more work commitments for Paul with the Scotland international squad can mean more leisure time for Monica and Christopher.

''We will stay a day longer in Scotland this time, because Christopher is having a birthday party. The club has agreed to let me come back later,'' Lambert says.

This is clearly a powerful toddler. Not only does he dominate what Paul does away from the training ground, but he can influence when he is on it.

That is a fair way to unwind. When not playing football, Paul Lambert lives happy families.