MAK THE KNIFE
Dumping Roy’s stars will be our greatest victory
ROBBIE MAK is ready to bite the hand that used to feed him.
The 25-year-old Slovakia winger is relishing the task of facing England in Saint-Etienne tomorrow night – and the chance to make more history for his country.
Mak reckons beating Roy Hodgson’s men – and duly booking a place in the last 16 of the Euros – would represent the biggest achievement in their history.
And the former Manchester City trainee, who came through the Etihad youth ranks with Daniel Sturridge, would love to get one over on the country that gave him a football education.
It’s nothing personal. Mak said: “We have already reached our first target by getting our first-ever win in the European Championship. We know we have made history and made all the fans at home very happy.
“But our ambition now is to qualify for the next stage. I think we have shocked many people by beating Russia and now we hope we can do the same against England.
“We have had five days to rest. England have had a day less, so we hope that will give us an advantage.
“We will be ready for them. And, if we can do it, then it would be the biggest result the Slovakia national team has ever produced.”
Mak, who now plays for PAOK in Greece, joined City along with fellow Slovakia star, winger Vladimir Weiss, when they were schoolboys. Both starred in the club’s FA Youth Cup triumph in 2008, when Sturridge was the star of a team that also included Kieran Trippier and Ben Mee. All four eventually had to leave Manchester to pursue their dreams. But Mak said: “I loved my time in Manchester and I still have friends in England, so I hope we can both go forward into the last 16 “I have no regrets about joining City. I went there when I was 15 years old and it was very hard for me to leave my family at home, but looking back I can say that City taught me how to play football. “I was there until I was 18 or 19 and that made me the player I am. “I know Daniel Sturridge because we played in the City youth team together. We had some great players in that team, but Daniel was special. “I am sure we will speak before the game and say nice things to each other.” Mak knows the size of the task facing Jan Kozak’s men face tomorrow night. He said: “It will be very tough against England. They have some great players who are famous all around the world. “But this is the Euros. Ninety-nine times out of 100 the best team wins the game, but teams like Slovakia live for the one time when we can win against all expectations.” of Slovakia’s 22 attempts at the Euros have been from Marik Hamsik, Vladimir Weiss or Robert Mak involved.