Mak’s factor a real threat

SLOVAKIA winger Robbie Mak is ready to bite the hand that used to feed him.

The former Manchester City trainee is relishing tomorrow’s match – and the chance to get one over on the country that gave him a football education.

Mak, 25, who came through the Etihad youth ranks with Daniel Sturridge, said: “We have already reached our first target by getting our first-ever European Championship win. 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 as a schoolboy along with fellow Slovakia winger Vladimir Weiss.

Both played 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.

Mak (above), who joined Nuremberg when he left Manchester in 2010 before moving to Greece two years ago, knows the task facing Jan Kozak’s men.

He said: “It will be very tough against England. They have some great players who are famous all around the world but our strength is the team.

“We always give 100 per cent and we hope that will be enough.”