Gary Lineker's only superstition was born in TV gaffe involving Alan Hansen

Gary Lineker has let slip one particular matchday habit thats stuck with him ever since a gaffe involving Liverpool heavyweights Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson.

Holding the title of BBC's top earner for quite some time, Lineker attributes success to the devil in the detail - and it seems an oversight by the Liverpool pair during their punditry duties may have left a lasting impression.

Back in 2003, as he led the BBC coverage for the FA Cup showdown between Wolves and Rochdale, Lineker found himself in a bit of a pickle when Hansen and Lawrenson were unprepared just moments before going live. His makeshift fix eventually crystallised into his preparation routine, a story he recounted to Alan Shearer and Micah Richards on "The Rest Is Football" podcast.

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"So Alan wanted to tell this story about when Liverpool were about to win the league at Molineux, and the Liverpool fans found a way to get in the ground," said Lineker. "There was a door in the dressing room at Molineux that actually opened out onto the street.

And he said, 'We're all sitting there about to get the team talk, and about 100 Liverpool fans came through the dressing room.' And he was gonna tell this story, which is a great story.

"I did the rehearsal a couple of times. Then, as always, we get the count coming down, the music plays (hums MOTD theme tune), and I deliver my opening line: 'So, Alan, didn't you clinch the league title here?' So Alan Hansen's just sitting there, and he's looking at the (matchday) programme! And he just keeps on looking at the programme, and he doesn't say anything. He doesn't say a word.

"And I'm going, 'That's odd.' And next to him is Mark Lawrenson. Now Alan and Mark had had a bit of a big night the night before. So I then hand to Mark Lawrenson, 'Do you want to say anything, Mark?' And he's just [laughed], and he's reading his notes. I'm going, 'What is going on?' My head's mashed! And I've gone, 'Are we not live yet?' And the editor in my ear shouts, 'Oh, yes, we are!'"

Lineker believes that if this incident happened today, it would have gone viral, leaving Hansen red-faced. However, it led to a broadcasting tradition that Lineker has stuck to every time he's on air. He continued: "So ever since that day, as soon as the titles run, as soon as the music plays, I say, [all join in] 'Is this for real?' Yes! And I've done it every single programme [since]. In fact, Micah joins in sometimes."

Meanwhile, Wolves ended Rochdale's FA Cup run that season with a 3-1 home victory. As for Hansen and Lawrenson, they were left to reflect on their own performance after a live TV blunder of epic proportions.

Richards and Shearer have both made it clear that they don't buy into superstitions, steering clear of any ritualistic habits. In contrast, Lineker is known for his meticulous routines aimed at avoiding on-air blunders.

The soccer community was concerned when Lineker shared that he "broke down" upon hearing about Hansen's hospitalization in early June. The mood has since improved with the news that the Scottish pundit is now out of the hospital.