THE most expensive player in the history of English football has wished Bolton Wanderers "good luck" in their push for the play-offs tomorrow.

PSV super-striker Ruud van Nistelrooy -- who recently signed for Manchester United for £19 million -- gave the Bolton team the thumbs-up in an exclusive interview in Eindhoven, Holland, with Dutch BEN reporter Irma Heger.

The pair spoke at PSV's training ground, where Ruud was pleased to hear that Wanderers still have a chance to play in the Premier League.

"That's great," Van the Man, 24-year-old Ruud, said.

"Of course I would wish Bolton the best of luck."

And Ruud -- who was thrilled to receive a Wanderers pennant -- put his unreserved support behind the Trotters.

"Any club in the First Division would love to play in the Premier League," he said.

"I would wish the opportunity to play in the Premier League on anybody who gets that chance."

Ruud, who will join United on July 1-- his 25th birthday -- also spoke frankly about Wanderers defender and Scottish captain Colin Hendry.

Ruud could face him in the Premiership if Wanderers are successful in their brave bid for promotion.

"Colin is a good, hard, defender," Ruud commented.

But the ginger-haired Scotsman, who has been suspended from international duty for an elbowing incident, doesn't strike fear in the heart of the Dutch international.

"I know he has a tough reputation," said Ruud. "But fear is usually a bad adviser. I think a certain amount of respect for any player is in order, but that doesn't mean you have to be fearful.

"I never am, anyway,"

Ruud also spoke about Ricardo Gardner, the young Jamaican Wanderers player, whom he met in Colorado, America, when both were there for knee treatment.

The pair, alongside a Wanderers physiotherapist, spent a night having a few drinks together.

And Ruud treaures the memory of meeting Ricardo. "He's a super guy," Ruud smiled. "He played for Jamaica in the World Cup."

And, as he rushed off to re-join his PSV colleagues on the training field, he insisted: "Say hello to Ricardo for me."

Sam Allardyce is hoping Wanderers can give Van Nistelrooy a hot Reebok reception in the Premiership next season.

"It's nice to hear Ruud knows so much about Bolton Wanderers," the Bolton manager said as he took a break from preparations for the promotion play-offs.

"Hopefully, he'll find out a lot more about us next season in a couple of tasty derby clashes!"