Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PLAY LIKE I DID, FOR THE FANS ...THEY’LL LIFT YOU
Gazza’s victory plea to young lions in semi
PAUL Gascoigne will be for ever remembered for his tears of despair after England crashed out of their last World Cup semi-final at Italia 90, 28 years ago.
But the football legend has urged today ’s stars to have their nation weeping with joy by going all the way to the final and lifting the trophy.
And the 51-year-old told Gareth Southgate’s boys to take a leaf out of his book and hold no fear when they step out against Croatia tonight in their bid for glory.
Clutching a replica of the trophy, Gazza gave a stirring message to the England team when he declared: “Come on, boys, bring this cup home.
“You have nothing to fear. To conquer fear, you have to face it. It is OK to cry when you win, then you have achieved something.
“They have to play like I did, for the crowd , for the fans. If they are struggling, the fans will cheer them on. Just play for England, for the fans. My message is… just play as if you were 10 years of age.
“No fear, enjoy the game, you may never get a better chance.”
England will be led out by captain Harry Kane when they face Croatia in the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow at 7pm – in their bid to book a place against France in Sunday’s final.
But former Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder Gazza said the striker will have the full support of his team-mates.
He added: “We don’t want just one captain on the pitch. Everyone of them has to be a captain. All 11.”
And he also believes the massed ranks of English supporters in the Russian capital will help get Southgate’s men into the first World Cup final since 1966.
Asked to pick out his favourites in the squad that is taking Russia by storm, Gazza said: “I like Harr y Maguire. He is unbelievable. Very confident man.
“And I like Jordan Pickford. He is class. When he catches the ball, he spots players to give it to. And his saves are incredible.”
But the Geordie warned England’s young lions not to underestimate Croatia, who has some class players, including former Spurs ace Luka Modric. He said: “Th ey are a fantastic team. They play unbelievable football.
“I can honestly say it is going to be a tough game for
England, although obviously I want them to win. I want England to win the World Cup but we have to get past Croatia first. One game at a time.”
Gazza was also part of the national team that fell agonisingly short in Euro 96, again tasting semi-final defeat to the Germans at Wembley.
His former international team-mate Southgate missed in a penalty shootout. But Gazza said he believes the manager’s intelligence as a player, both on and off the field, has helped him take England to the brink of glory.
He added with a smile: “We were very different. He was so bright he could have gone on Countdown.
“As a manager you are only as good as the players you have and they are doing very well at the moment.” Gazza is excited about being at the biggest England game since 1990, but admits the memories of the tournament in Italy will come flooding back.
He said: “Those weeks were the best time of my life. In my day, what was brilliant was those who did not play did not get upset, they loved it. It’s the same with these lads.
“I miss it so much. Sometimes I look at the old pictures and I do cry. It is going to bring back good memories.”
Gazza will be joined in Moscow at tonight’s match by other former team-mates from the 1990 squad, who were under the guidance of the late, great Sir Bobby Robson.
Gary Lineker, Chris Waddle, Terry Butcher and Stuart Pearce, are all working as pundits for the tournament.
Waddle, 57, told how he broke down in tears after England beat Sweden in the quarter-final.
He said: “I couldn’t believe I would witness this. It’s quite emotional.
“To get to see England in a semi, well, I have waited for a very long time.”
Sir Bobby’s widow, Lady Elsie, last night said he would be proud of today’s team.
She added: “He would be willing them to go all the way in Russia with every fibre of his being.”