ANDONI Iraola explained the reasoning behind the tape he dons on his fingers on a matchday, joking: “it’s a stupidity.”

Cherries’ head coach can be seen wearing tape on his right index finger and his left middle finger on the sidelines, a superstition he has carried on since his playing days.

Having started the tradition in the youth ranks of Athletic Club, the Basque has continued to tape each finger prior to a match throughout his career, including pre-season fixtures.

Asked about the tape, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “It's a stupidity.

“It's just superstitions.

“Sometimes as a player, the referees asked you to take it off.

“I take it off, nothing happened.

“But I have done it for so many years that I continue doing it.

“I think every single game, even pre-season, I like to do it.

“It's something, the first thing I do when I get into the locker room is just tape it, and I'm used to doing it.

“But it's not important.”

Asked if he was a superstitious, Iraola smiled: “I say that I'm not superstitious, but small things, that I think we all have, like clothes.

“But nothing important.”

Cherries are in action on Sunday afternoon, when they travel across the south coast to face Brighton & Hove Albion (2pm).