ENGLAND COACH: STEVIE IS OUR INSPIRATION
Steve McClaren has told Steven Gerrard to drive England another step closer to Euro 2008 by inspiring his country to victory over Russia tonight.
The England coach will again employ Gerrard in an advanced central midfield role, allowing the Reds' skipper to influence the Wembley showdown from his favoured position.
Having won many of his caps as the holding midfielder in the team, McClaren admits Gerrard is now relishing the new challenge of replicating his club form at international level.
"We have given Steven Gerrard the freedom to go and be an inspiration and to give us what he gives Liverpool week in week out," McClaren said. "And I think he's delivering that.
"Sometimes you have to make brave decisions and we just felt it was a decision we had to make.
"I don't think he's ever been wasted. He's always been a top player wherever he's played. But I just think he gives more to our team playing in the middle.
"I have just tried to get the best out of him. I think that's the key to what we are all trying to do, to get inside the person and put him on the pitch where's he's most comfortable and where he'll give his best performance.
"Steven was given the opportunity and he has relished it and taken it. It didn't happen by chance, things evolve.
"When you see Stevie G play and train he is the one player that is a great passer, can unlock doors, can win a game in a split second. And they are key players in anybody's team." |
發表於 2007-9-13 01:51 AM
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