We like to chat.. not about football, not a massive football fan

Inspiration Isla on her pal, the secret softie Souness

- MATT ROPER

GRAEME Souness describes her as his "inspiration" and "the most unique human being I've ever met".

And Isla Grist, the 14-year-old for whom he swam the Channel this week, calls the once fearsome footballer Graeme "marshmallow - hard on the outside but soft on the inside".

Millions have been moved by the remarkable friendship between Isla, who suffers from a rare skin condition which causes her body to blister and tear, and the football legend, who often breaks down in tears when talking about her.

On Sunday 70-year-old Graeme successfully completed the gruelling 31-mile swim from Dover to Calais in 12 hours and 17 minutes, alongside five friends, including Isla's dad Andy.

The challenge raised an incredible £1.2million for Debra, a charity supporting those suffering from epidermolysis bullosa, which is known as "butterfly skin".