PRIDE OF LIONS
Gerrard: Vieira’s so wrong — our kids are all right
STEVEN GERRARD has hit back at Patrick Vieira, speaking with pride about his passion for leading his country as he and Ashley Cole close in on a century of England caps.
Gerrard and Cole will each play their 99th international in tonight’s important World Cup qualifier here. Their commitment has rarely been in doubt and the England captain claims the next generation of stars have exactly the same appetite, despite Vieira’s claims to the contrary last week.
‘It surprised me to read that,’ said Gerrard. ‘The impression I get from young players at Liverpool is that they’re desperate to get into this set-up.
‘You can see in their faces that when they’re left out, they’re really disappointed. It didn’t annoy me because I don’t really care what Patrick Vieira
From Back Page says. England’s young players are hungry.’ Cole returns for his first game since offending FA chairman David Bernstein with an abusive tweet, for which he has since apologised. ‘That’s been dealt with very clearly and quickly to the FA’s satisfaction,’ said Roy Hodgson, before warning the Chelsea left back that there is more pressure than ever on his place in the team. ‘Alongside Ashley Cole, who was regarded as the only left back in England for many years, we have Leighton Baines who will always push him and some interesting younger left backs like Kieran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand,’ added the England manager. ‘I would think the competition is as great as it’s ever been. This has been a problem position in many of the countries I’ve worked, but we’re very well off and that’s encouraging. ‘Full backs have always played an important role but, if anything, the importance of their role has increased.’ Gerrard also paid tribute to Cole’s impact, saying: ‘He’s a top player. It’s important to speak about him as a player. Privately, he’s quite quiet and reserved but he comes alive on the pitch. ‘It’s been an absolute pleasure to play with him over the years. He’s been one of the best left backs this country has ever produced. Let’s enjoy the last few years of his time with us.’ Gerrard and Cole will be among up to six changes to the team which beat San Marino 5-0 at Wembley on Friday. Joleon Lescott, Glen Johnson and James Milner are also expected to return, as is Jermain Defoe, who partnered Wayne Rooney for a large part of last night’s training session here in Warsaw.