Latest World Cup News

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BUTCHER CAN TASTE FINALS PLACE

Terry Butcher believes Scotland go in to Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo "tantalisingly close" to reaching the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1998.

The Scots, who are second behind Group Nine winners Holland with seven points from five games, flew out from Glasgow airport on Monday afternoon knowing victory in the Ullevaal Stadium would eliminate the Norwegians, who are bottom of the table.

It would also leave George Burley's side needing a win against Macedonia at Hampden next month to secure second spot and a possible play-off place for the finals in South Africa.

"Qualification is tantalisingly close," assistant boss Butcher said.

"It is a great opportunity for everybody.

"We're going there with one thought and that's to put in a good performance and get those three points.

"The play-offs are so close for us and we have to make sure that we get there.

"Three wins would definitely get us into the play-offs but it's our last away match in the group and we want to go to Norway - like we did to Iceland - nice and positive and try to get those three points.

"At the moment, it's one of the best (chances Scotland have had to qualify) but we'll wait and see."

While a draw would probably leave Scotland looking for two home wins to clinch the play-off spot, Butcher insist Burley will set out to get the win.

"Look at George's sides: they are positive," he said.

"We went to Iceland and played two wingers and got the result, despite injuries and call-offs.

"There are no excuses now, no call-offs so we can look forward to a full squad in training.

"We know what's expected of us; we also know that the Norwegians have to win all three matches to stand any chance of getting into the play-offs, so they'll be going for it.

"But, at the same time, we're very confident after the Iceland match.

"It was a good performance in that game under the circumstances.

"We managed to get a good result and put ourselves in a strong position with two home matches to come."

Most of the interest around team selection is centred on which goalkeeper Burley will pick in the absence of the injured Craig Gordon and banned Allan McGregor.

Neil Alexander and David Marshall are vying for the number one slot with both keepers having their supporters.

Butcher is confident Burley will not shirk from making the decision, although he admits "gut feeling" will probably play a part in the final selection.

"He won't be afraid of making those decisions," Butcher said. "He makes bold decisions; he's always done that in his career and he's done so with Scotland in the past.

"There's a lot of gut feeling that comes into management.

"I know it's not an exact scientific formula.

"Sometimes, your gut feelings are your best feelings.

"But that's down to George, and his gut feelings in the past have been very good."

Butcher added: "He's positive, more positive than ever.

"So, whoever he picks in goal, whoever he picks in the starting XI and the subs as well, everybody's going to go out there with one thing in mind: to get the right result."

 

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HENRY SIDELINED FOR LES BLEUS

Thierry Henry has pulled out of France's squad for their World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands on Wednesday.

According to his club Barcelona, the striker suffered an Achilles injury on their pre-season tour of the United States and will not be able to join up with Les Bleus this week.

National team coach Raymond Domenech is not expected to call up a replacement for the 31-year-old for the match in Torshavn.

France lie second in qualifying Group Seven, eight points behind leaders Serbia and with two games in hand.

 

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NORWAY PLAYERS FIT FOR QUALIFIER

Norway boss Egil Olsen has reported no injury worries for Wednesday's crucial World Cup qualifier against Scotland.

With only three points from five Group Nine matches, rock-bottom Norway need to win to stand any chance of sneaking into the play-offs for a place in the 2010 finals.

And Olsen vowed to take risks against Scotland, who will take a stranglehold on second place in the group if they win in Oslo.

Olsen said: "We have to attack and take some chances in this game. We need a win, we know that.

"I believe that Scotland will be satisfied with a draw and will play with caution and deep in the field.

"I believe that the teams are at the same level. Maybe Scotland are some places better than us in the FIFA rankings, I don't know."

Captain and Fulham defender Brede Hangeland added "This is an important qualifier. I will give everything, even if the Premier League starts a few days later."

 

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BUTCHER SLAMS FERGUSON TIMING

Barry Ferguson's stinging attack on the Scottish Football Association will not distract Scotland from their crucial World Cup qualifier in Norway tomorrow night, according to assistant boss Terry Butcher.

Former national team captain Ferguson laid into the SFA over their handling of the 'Boozegate' affair in an interview published in Monday's Evening Times.

Butcher, who insisted he had yet to read the article, was nevertheless critical of its timing, saying: "It's not good timing when it comes two days before one of the most important matches Scotland will ever play.

"I'm sure the squad will just be focused on getting the result out there so we'll leave it at that."

If the article was designed as a distraction, Butcher was confident it will fail.

He added: "There's some young players out there, some exciting young players as well as older players as well. It's a very good blend.

"It's a squad that's evolving, it's a squad that's going forward and hopefully going forward well in Oslo."

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith accused Ferguson of deliberately trying to disrupt Scotland's preparations.

"The timing's obviously planned to try to be negative regarding something to do with the team," said Smith.

"If Barry Ferguson wants to make comments, that's entirely up to him.

"Regardless of what he said, we have no response to it because we're just concentrating on an important game."

Ferguson and Allan McGregor were banned from representing Scotland ever again for their behaviour while on international duty against Holland and Iceland last season.

The pair indulged in an early-hours drinking session at the team hotel in the wake of March's World Cup qualifying defeat in Amsterdam.

They then reacted to being dropped to the bench against Iceland days later by flicking V-signs at photographers.

Smith added: "All of a sudden, after four months, to speak this week is a major aspect of it."

Midfielder Ferguson, who left Rangers for Birmingham this summer, said in the interview: "The thing that rankles with me now is the way the SFA handled the entire situation - for me it was a joke.

"I had played for Scotland 45 times, I had captained my country for years - and they sent a fax to Murray Park saying that I would never play for my country again. It was just the same statement they put out, that was it!

"That just astonished me. The machine starts to ring, and in comes a fax from Hampden for my attention telling me that I would no longer be picked, and neither would Allan.

"The people in the room just looked at each other in total disbelief - is that how something like that should be handled?

"No-one has ever spoken to me from the Scotland set-up. Not the manager, the chief executive, a PR guy, anyone. I was driving back into Murray Park after being sent home for a few hours and I heard on the radio that the SFA were going to ban me for life.

"I was in such a whirl that I wasn't taking anything in - then a fax arrives and that was it over... no phone call, no anything. That, for me, sums the SFA up. They don't know how to handle anything properly."

 

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TWO TALISMEN MISSING FOR FRANCE

France will line up without talismanic attacking duo Thierry Henry and Franck Ribery when they take on the Faroe Islands in a World Cup qualifier in Torshavn on Wednesday night.

Les Bleus should still have far too much in their locker for the Group Seven minnows as they look to keep on the coat-tails of pool leaders Serbia, but Henry and Ribery have been decisive players in their stuttering qualification campaign so far.

Bayern Munich winger Ribery, whose niggling knee injury means he will come off the bench only in an emergency, scored the winning goals in France's 1-0 home and away victories against Lithuania in March and April.

Those six points got the French back on track after a poor start to qualifying, leaving them second in the pool, eight points behind runaway leaders Serbia but with two games in hand.

Striker Henry, who is out with an Achilles injury suffered on Barcelona's pre-season tour of the United States, has been his country's captain this qualifying campaign and has been France's offensive inspiration for much of the past decade.

France coach Raymond Domenech will have to reshuffle his forward line, with Florent Malouda likely to start on the left wing, Loic Remy on the right flank and either Nicolas Anelka or Karim Benzema on their own up front.

They are expected to be too strong for a host side who have just one goal and one point to their name after five matches, but Domenech has warned his men against complacency.

He told the French Football Federation's website: "Anything other than a victory is a catastrophe.

"If we play to the level we know, we can win the match.

"We have to score that first goal which can make all the difference."

Domenech has not called up Patrick Vieira as the midfielder is still short of match fitness after his series of injury problems, selecting instead 19-year-old Toulouse prodigy Moussa Sissoko.

Nevertheless, Jeremy Toulalan, Alou Diarra and Lassana Diarra will fight it out for the two defensive-midfield berths.

Sebastien Squillaci should partner William Gallas at centre-back.

If the French win, they will lie five points behind the Serbs, who they play in a crunch qualifier in Belgrade on September 9.

But picking up three points is not a foregone conclusion, according to Nice forward Remy.

"I am not taking this match lightly," he is quoted as saying in French daily newspaper L'Equipe.

"It is the type of match in which the physical side outweighs the beautiful game.

"The only solution will be to persevere. If we keep forcing the issue, we will end up finding a weakness."

The last time France played away against the Faroes, in 2007, poor weather conditions saw Les Bleus' squad arrive just hours before kick-off after spending most of the day travelling. They still won that match 6-0.

The Faroes, who are now coached by former Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr, are looking for their first win in qualifying.

Their only point - and goal - so far came from a 1-1 home draw against Austria last October.

 

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LSEN PREPARED TO GAMBLE

Norway's interim boss Egil Olsen admits his side will have to take risks against Scotland if they are to rescue their 2010 World Cup hopes.

The Norwegians are bottom of Group Nine, with three points from five games, and are still looking for the first win of the qualifying campaign.

George Burley's men are second behind section winners Holland, with seven points from five games, and know victory would eliminate Olsen's side and leave them needing a win against Macedonia at Hampden next month to secure second place and a possible play-off spot.

Asked if he was aware a win was crucial, Olsen - who took over his country for the second time in January after Age Hareide quit - retorted: "Don't tell me - I know.

"We will try hard. That means we have to take risks, bigger risks than normal - because 0-0 is useless for us.

"Scotland have good players but they have lost some since they beat Iceland in the last game.

"I don't know how much weaker they are - but I hope they are very much weaker."

Olsen denied Norway will simply launch an aerial attack via giant striker John Carew.

He said: "I don't know why people think we are so defensive.

"When we play teams like Germany or Holland away from home we always squeeze the space and play on the counter-attack - but at home we play differently.

"We also have many football players with creativity and who are strong on the ball, as well as the physique of Carew."

 

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CAREW SURPRISED BY STRUGGLES

John Carew is surprised Norway are just 90 minutes away from World Cup elimination.

The Norwegians are struggling at the bottom of Group Nine with just three points from five games before their crunch qualifier against Scotland.

Victory for George Burley's men at the Ullevaal Stadium would signal the end for Egil Olsen's hosts.

But Carew insists that, while there is still hope under their interim manager, Norway will continue to battle.

"Our position is a bit surprising," said the Norway striker.

"I didn't expect us to be in this position, but that is the reality.

"We haven't been good enough and we have been a bit unlucky as well.

"But we still have a theoretical chance to qualify. We have to try and get the result - although it is always tough against Scotland.

"Even though we might not qualify, we need to win the last three games to get the confidence back for the next qualification campaign."

 

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DEL BOSQUE: THIS WON'T BE EASY

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has the unenviable task of trying to get his players to focus on football when they take on FYR Macedonia in an international friendly on Wednesday night.

The squad are still traumatised by the death of Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque on Saturday - when the midfielder's heart stopped following a training session in Coverciano, Italy, where the Barcelona-based club were on a pre-season camp.

His death comes two years after that of Sevilla and Spain defender Antonio Puerta - who suffered multiple organ failure in hospital, three days after a cardiac arrest during a league match against Getafe.

Del Bosque admitted before the squad's departure for Skopje: "It will not be easy to play a football match after what has happened.

"Daniel Jarque was a good person and a promising young player."

Jarque's passing has dominated the build-up, with some of the players calling for a new programme of heart screening for footballers.

Liverpool midfielder Albert Riera said: "Of course, it's something that concerns us.

"They say it isn't possible to predict these things - because normally there is no warning, with the exception of what happened to Ruben De la Red (who survived a heart scare last year).

"It is something they have to start to look at to see of there is some sort of solution."

Del Bosque's squad showed only one surprise, with 23-year-old Osasuna full-back Ignacio Monreal called up to replace injured Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

Ramos' absence means Madrid have four players in the party - Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Raul Albiol. It is the first time that has happened since 2006, three of the above having arrived at the Bernabeu this summer.

It was a similar squad which took part in the Confederations Cup earlier in the summer, only Valencia midfielder Pablo Hernandez and Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente left out of the party which travelled to South Africa.

The game will form a part of the Macedonian FA's centenary celebrations.

 

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HANGELAND SEEKS WORLD CUP MIRACLE

Norway skipper Brede Hangeland is looking for another footballing miracle from Egil Olsen against Scotland to rescue the Norwegians' fading World Cup qualification hopes.

Olsen guided Norway to the World Cup finals in 1994 and 1998, where they famously beat Brazil, and under his tutelage the Scandinavians peaked at number two in the FIFA rankings.

The former Wimbledon boss answered the call of his nation in February after Age Hareide had quit following Norway's poor form.

With the Norwegians bottom of Group Nine with three points from five games, they need victory against second-placed Scotland at the Ullevaal Stadium on Wednesday night to have any hopes of finishing runners-up to section winners Holland with enough points to guarantee a play-off spot.

Hangeland is encouraged by Norway's 1-0 friendly win in Germany in January, in what was Olsen's first game back.

"Historically, Olsen has done great things for the Norwegian national team," the Fulham stopper said.

"He performed miracles 15 or 20 years ago and we saw some of that when we played Germany away earlier this year.

"Hopefully we can repeat that a couple of more times in the coming games. So I hope he has a miracle left in him, let's wait and see."

"It is more or less our last chance to do something about our qualification hopes," Hangeland added.

"So needless to say the game is very important. We have a chance but we need to win if we want to go to the World Cup.

"We don't fear any of the Scottish players but we respect them. They have some very good players and a good team so we will have to be at our best to win.

"There is more pressure on us as we have less points but there is always pressure in football."

Hangeland laughed at the suggestion that in this match, it is Scotland who could be termed the football team.

"It's not many times Scotland are described as that," he said.

"I would say both teams are known more for their physical approach than their style of play so it will probably be a physical game but it should be interesting."

Olsen held court at the Ullevaal Stadium with plenty of charm and no little eccentricity while admitting that he would have to take risks in order to find Norway's first win in the group.

However, he refused to apologise for his legendary route-one approach to football and claimed that even Brazil could learn a lesson from him.

And the former Wimbledon boss could not care less that his style of play does not find favour among all his coaching colleagues in Norway.

"Most of the coaches in Norway disagree with me," he said.

"But I believe that if you count forward passes, square passes and support passes, the most effective way to play is by playing around 75% of your passes forward and we have counted this.

"When we beat Brazil in 1998 we played 65% of our passes forward, and Brazil played 35% forward.

"If Brazil had played 65% forward, they would have beaten us - easily.

"So that is my philosophy.

"I know that you can't play 100% of passes forward, that would be stupid, but I think we could increase it.

"We play too many passes square, we could develop a game with more forward passes and when the best teams in the world play at their best, they play the ball forward."

 

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HANGELAND SEEKS WORLD CUP MIRACLE

Norway skipper Brede Hangeland is looking for another footballing miracle from Egil Olsen against Scotland to rescue the Norwegians' fading World Cup qualification hopes.

Olsen guided Norway to the World Cup finals in 1994 and 1998, where they famously beat Brazil, and under his tutelage the Scandinavians peaked at number two in the FIFA rankings.

The former Wimbledon boss answered the call of his nation in February after Age Hareide had quit following Norway's poor form.

With the Norwegians bottom of Group Nine with three points from five games, they need victory against second-placed Scotland at the Ullevaal Stadium on Wednesday night to have any hopes of finishing runners-up to section winners Holland with enough points to guarantee a play-off spot.

Hangeland is encouraged by Norway's 1-0 friendly win in Germany in January, in what was Olsen's first game back.

"Historically, Olsen has done great things for the Norwegian national team," the Fulham stopper said.

"He performed miracles 15 or 20 years ago and we saw some of that when we played Germany away earlier this year.

"Hopefully we can repeat that a couple of more times in the coming games. So I hope he has a miracle left in him, let's wait and see."

"It is more or less our last chance to do something about our qualification hopes," Hangeland added.

"So needless to say the game is very important. We have a chance but we need to win if we want to go to the World Cup.

"We don't fear any of the Scottish players but we respect them. They have some very good players and a good team so we will have to be at our best to win.

"There is more pressure on us as we have less points but there is always pressure in football."

Hangeland laughed at the suggestion that in this match, it is Scotland who could be termed the football team.

"It's not many times Scotland are described as that," he said.

"I would say both teams are known more for their physical approach than their style of play so it will probably be a physical game but it should be interesting."

Olsen held court at the Ullevaal Stadium with plenty of charm and no little eccentricity while admitting that he would have to take risks in order to find Norway's first win in the group.

However, he refused to apologise for his legendary route-one approach to football and claimed that even Brazil could learn a lesson from him.

And the former Wimbledon boss could not care less that his style of play does not find favour among all his coaching colleagues in Norway.

"Most of the coaches in Norway disagree with me," he said.

"But I believe that if you count forward passes, square passes and support passes, the most effective way to play is by playing around 75% of your passes forward and we have counted this.

"When we beat Brazil in 1998 we played 65% of our passes forward, and Brazil played 35% forward.

"If Brazil had played 65% forward, they would have beaten us - easily.

"So that is my philosophy.

"I know that you can't play 100% of passes forward, that would be stupid, but I think we could increase it.

"We play too many passes square, we could develop a game with more forward passes and when the best teams in the world play at their best, they play the ball forward."

 

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FLETCHER: WORLD CUP WOULD BE BEST YET

Scotland captain Darren Fletcher believes an appearance at the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer will eclipse anything he has achieved at club level with Manchester United.

The Scots' last appearance in the finals of a major competition was in the 1998 World Cup in France.

However, victory for George Burley's side in Wednesday's Group Nine qualifier against Norway in the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo will cement second place in Group Nine for the Scots and take them one step closer to a play-off place.

Fletcher is looking for long-overdue international success to sit alongside the trophies and medals he has won at United.

"There is still lots that I want to achieve at Manchester United," he said.

"I've not done too bad but what is in the past is in the past, I look to the future.

"I would love to represent my country at a major finals, I think every player would.

"The World Cup is a pinnacle of any player's career and most of our squad haven't experienced that and the country hasn't achieved that for a long time.

"So we are desperate to do it.

"We hope we can finish second and get in the play-offs and if we did then we would fancy our chances against most teams."

The Red Devils' midfielder shares a dressing room at Old Trafford with world superstars who regularly reach major finals with their respective countries.

Fletcher believes a trip to South Africa will put Scotland back on the map with players that have grown fed-up of teasing him about Scotland's lack of success.

"It's all good fun," Fletcher said.

"But it has stopped now because they have got used to Scotland not qualifying and they just leave me alone - so I'm desperate for that to change.

"We are all desperate to play on a World stage, nothing else matters and they can give us as much stick as they want."

Fletcher, who will win his 43rd cap on Wednesday night, believes the Scots have developed in to more positive side under Burley.

"The squad has evolved," he said.

"We have a lot of players in the wider areas, like Kris Commons and Ross McCormack, who like to attack.

"That was not always the case in previous when we had a lot of central midfielders and similar players.

"We have exciting players and it has given us more options.

"There has always been hunger but it is great to have different players in and that means we have competition for places.

"Nobody's place is safe, everyone can be replaced and that's good for everyone.

"We have 23 players here and everyone would want to start and is capable of starting, which makes the manager's job difficult."

Fletcher's position, of course, is guaranteed, but the Manchester United playmaker insists the captaincy will have no effect on his game.

"There is no extra responsibility on me," he said.

"I am not going to change just because I am the captain.

"I won't shout more, I will do my usual thing.

"I talk before the game but there are a lot of voices in the squad."

 

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TERRY HAILS ABSOLUTELY FABIO

England skipper John Terry has hailed Fabio Capello as the manager to give his team-mates the belief they can be contenders for the World Cup next year.

Terry experienced the magic touch Jose Mourinho brought to Chelsea and has seen the same in Capello, not least from half-time team talks when the Italian starts calm but can also dish out the "hairdryer" treatment.

"Mourinho had that and Fabio does too," Terry said. "You come in at half-time and he hates it if the lads are talking or shouting to each other or arguing.

"He wants everyone to sit there for two or three minutes, take it in and absorb it, then approach things in a calmer way.

"You can come in hot-headed wanting better from your team-mates, but he comes in, wants us to be calm - and he can then go mad himself. He can be calm or the hairdryer.

"In the past, we've been a bit too quiet with each other and not expressed our feelings. Maybe there was too much respect between the players. But now we talk to each other and listen to what each other is saying."

With seven wins from as many World Cup qualifiers under Capello, confidence is high heading into the friendly against Holland at Amsterdam ArenA.

It means England are on the brink of qualifying for South Africa and erasing the memory of failing to reach Euro 2008, a period that saw Terry's position as skipper questioned.

"I never doubted myself, but I understood that some people might doubt me as an England captain with us not qualifying," Terry said.

"I understand and take responsibility from that. I've learned a few things from before, about how not to do things, but now everyone's playing freely and confident under the new manager.

"If we can get there, every big team there will have a good chance and we'll be no different. If we play the way we are, we can't rule England out from winning the World Cup."

Capello's approach will be the key if England get it right next year, according to Terry.

"That bit of quality separates the good from the great," the 28-year-old said.

"This manager is a great manager. But we're not where we want to be yet. We've got another 10 or 15% to go to.

"When we do, we'll be at theop of our game."

Terry also feels Capello has "wiped away" the fear factor among players, although he insists there is more to come from himself and his team-mates.

They have lost to France and Spain in friendlies but there has been huge progress in the process.

He added: "Players would be lying if they told you there wasn't any fear coming into big games with England. But it's been wiped away. We've overcome that mental barrier. We had to, and we've done that."

Being pursued by Manchester City this summer has hardly been ideal preparation for Terry's season - but he is ready to put the talk of moving to bed and concentrate on his role at Stamford Bridge.

The big names he suggested at the end of last season may not have arrived but Chelsea have managed to keep hold of Didier Drogba, who had previously been tipped to leave.

"I said a couple of names after the cup final, but I don't think the club were too happy with me," he said.

"If Roman (Abramovich) asks me, I give him my honest opinion. But I never chuck names at him to ask him to sign them. All I worry about are the people close to me, who I've had success with and want to continue having success with.

"Even as captain, when players are up with their contracts, I'm a go-between between those whose contracts were up and the management.

"I didn't want the club to sell Didier and we'd heard all the rumours, and I wanted these kind of players around me. I wanted these assurances."

 

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TERRY HAILS ABSOLUTELY FABIO

England skipper John Terry has hailed Fabio Capello as the manager to give his team-mates the belief they can be contenders for the World Cup next year.

Terry experienced the magic touch Jose Mourinho brought to Chelsea and has seen the same in Capello, not least from half-time team talks when the Italian starts calm but can also dish out the "hairdryer" treatment.

"Mourinho had that and Fabio does too," Terry said. "You come in at half-time and he hates it if the lads are talking or shouting to each other or arguing.

"He wants everyone to sit there for two or three minutes, take it in and absorb it, then approach things in a calmer way.

"You can come in hot-headed wanting better from your team-mates, but he comes in, wants us to be calm - and he can then go mad himself. He can be calm or the hairdryer.

"In the past, we've been a bit too quiet with each other and not expressed our feelings. Maybe there was too much respect between the players. But now we talk to each other and listen to what each other is saying."

With seven wins from as many World Cup qualifiers under Capello, confidence is high heading into the friendly against Holland at Amsterdam ArenA.

It means England are on the brink of qualifying for South Africa and erasing the memory of failing to reach Euro 2008, a period that saw Terry's position as skipper questioned.

"I never doubted myself, but I understood that some people might doubt me as an England captain with us not qualifying," Terry said.

"I understand and take responsibility from that. I've learned a few things from before, about how not to do things, but now everyone's playing freely and confident under the new manager.

"If we can get there, every big team there will have a good chance and we'll be no different. If we play the way we are, we can't rule England out from winning the World Cup."

Capello's approach will be the key if England get it right next year, according to Terry.

"That bit of quality separates the good from the great," the 28-year-old said.

"This manager is a great manager. But we're not where we want to be yet. We've got another 10 or 15% to go to.

"When we do, we'll be at theop of our game."

Terry also feels Capello has "wiped away" the fear factor among players, although he insists there is more to come from himself and his team-mates.

They have lost to France and Spain in friendlies but there has been huge progress in the process.

He added: "Players would be lying if they told you there wasn't any fear coming into big games with England. But it's been wiped away. We've overcome that mental barrier. We had to, and we've done that."

Being pursued by Manchester City this summer has hardly been ideal preparation for Terry's season - but he is ready to put the talk of moving to bed and concentrate on his role at Stamford Bridge.

The big names he suggested at the end of last season may not have arrived but Chelsea have managed to keep hold of Didier Drogba, who had previously been tipped to leave.

"I said a couple of names after the cup final, but I don't think the club were too happy with me," he said.

"If Roman (Abramovich) asks me, I give him my honest opinion. But I never chuck names at him to ask him to sign them. All I worry about are the people close to me, who I've had success with and want to continue having success with.

"Even as captain, when players are up with their contracts, I'm a go-between between those whose contracts were up and the management.

"I didn't want the club to sell Didier and we'd heard all the rumours, and I wanted these kind of players around me. I wanted these assurances."

 

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CAPELLO HAILS TWO-GOAL DEFOE

Fabio Capello has backed Jermain Defoe as one of England's best forwards.

Defoe came off the bench in Amsterdam to transform the friendly with Holland.

Staring at defeat following woeful errors from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry, Defoe's half-time introduction triggered a complete about-turn in English fortunes.

In scoring twice to seal a 2-2 away draw with a side that has already booked its place at South Africa 2010, Defoe took his recent tally to four goals in two games and nine altogether under Capello.

And the Italian is clearly impressed by Defoe's overall contribution.

"Jermain is one of the best English forwards," said Capello.

"He can shoot with the left and right foot. He is very fast and his movement without the ball is fantastic.

"He always goes towards the goal and technically, he is excellent."

Certainly Defoe has done more than enough to justify his inclusion in Capello's squad. If he maintains his present form, it is difficult to see the 26-year-old being left out when the England squad for the World Cup is named next May no matter how great the clamour for Michael Owen's inclusion.

Like Owen, Peter Crouch may find it difficult to force his way into Capello's plans. For if Owen and Defoe would appear to be battling it out for a single place on the plane, Crouch is in direct competition with Carlton Cole for the right to act as understudy to first-choice front-man Emile Heskey.

Defoe might have found the net but Cole was equally impressive.

One volley he sent whistling wide of the Dutch goal came after a neat piece of trickery few thought him capable of.

And Capello has confirmed he will continue picking players on the evidence provided by his own eyes and those of his trusted assistants rather than the headlines that will plead on behalf of Owen and Crouch.

"I will choose the players who are in the best form at that time," he said.

"I saw Carlton Cole for West Ham against Napoli and I chose him because I could see he was in fantastic form.

"I spoke with one of the other coaches about Defoe who said he was doing really well.

"He has scored goals in the friendly matches he has played, so I chose him for that reason."

It is all a quite straightforward process, which is probably why Capello has never really understood the fixation over Owen and, before that, David Beckham.

To him personalities are to be blended into a team, rather than being an end in themselves and England supporters can be absolutely certain no matter what happens this season, Capello will not be swayed by outside opinion.

And, given his latest statement, it is difficult to see either Crouch or Owen being involved when Capello names his squad for the friendly with Slovenia on September 5 and the World Cup qualifier against Croatia four days later when England know victory will take them through.

As time is so short - five matches at the most and only four for the Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United contingent - not many changes at all are expected, especially as the fringe players such as James Milner and Shaun Wright-Phillips were the ones who stamped their authority on Wednesday night's contest.

David James will no doubt return providing he comes through Portsmouth's early-season fixtures unscathed, although whether Capello is willing to take another chance on Ben Foster's fragile fitness is open to debate.

Glen Johnson was one of the underperforming collection of England players. But while the new Liverpool signing does not have the experience of Ferdinand to reinforce his position, there are no obvious alternatives for the right-back slot given neither Wes Brown nor Gary Neville are in the peak of health.

 

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SMITH RULES OUT BURLEY DECISION

Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith insists they will make no decision on George Burley's future as Scotland manager until after the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Pressure is mounting on the national team boss in the wake of last night's 4-0 defeat in Norway, which saw the Scots slip to third place in Group Nine and damaged their hopes of a play-off spot.

Scotland now need to win their final two games against second-placed Macedonia and group winners Holland at Hampden next month to have any hope of qualifying for South Africa next summer.

Smith says the SFA will not assess Burley's position until after those games have taken place and they know exactly where Scotland stand in terms of the World Cup finals.

He said: "George was brought in for us to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, that was his remit when he was brought in and he was given a contract on that basis.

"Therefore we will review George's position when we see where we are in terms of qualification.

"It's too early to ask if there are going to be any changes because we are still in a position where we could qualify for the World Cup."

If Scotland do fail to qualify this time around, Burley's position would then be open to scrutiny.

Smith added: "If we don't qualify? That's something we would have to look at, that's a board decision, that comes from the SFA, that's not my decision as such.

"I think we have to review how things have been. Is there a progression happening? The fact is we actually have developed quite a few young players just now.

"When a manager looks as though he is developing a team, that always goes in his favour too when you are looking at the next campaign.

"That's a decision that has still to be made."

Asked if he, personally, was feeling under pressure, Smith replied: "No. But I'm never comfortable with it.

"As a player or whatever I did in my life, I judge myself on what I've done. Most of the things that are happening at the SFA are very, very positive.

"These are the results of the national team and they are obviously crucial to us in terms of what we are trying to.

"But I don't feel any pressure at the moment. I can understand why people are being critical but I'm getting on with my job and most of what is happening is very positive."

Smith was confronted by an angry section of the Tartan Army as he left the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo on Wednesday night and admits he can understand the reaction of supporters.

He said: "I forgive them for doing it because I can understand why they did it. I know they were angry and emotional and I can understand why people get that way.

"It's football. We are all emotional about it. I'm emotional about the game, I've got a passion for football, and I've got my own feelings on what happened and how we did.

"If they're angry and annoyed about it, we all feel the same. You have to just accept it. People feel emotional and they see Gordon Smith and the SFA and say 'I'm taking it out on them.' I can understand that."

Smith believes the dream of a first major finals in more than a decade can still be salvaged.

"It has to be," he told BBC Scotland. "It's down to the team, it's down to the results. I believed we could win [against Norway] and I got it wrong.

"I think most people were positive about what we could do and it just didn't work out. Circumstances went against us too in terms of the ordering-off.

"I just think you have to go forward on the basis that there are two games. Once we get the Macedonia game out of the way, it becomes one game if we win that one.

"Then it's Holland at home and then it's up to the Gods."

 

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WORLD CUP SELECTION RACE HOTS UP

England midfielder David Beckham expects the scrap for places in Fabio Capello's squad to hot up when the Premier League season starts this weekend.

Beckham started in the draw against Holland but Theo Walcott is first choice on the right flank, with Shaun Wright-Phillips, James Milner and Aaron Lennon breathing down their necks.

"Without a doubt competition for places is growing stronger," Beckham said. "It's like that week-in, week-out and it's what you want in a World Cup year.

"Hopefully once we qualify that will continue because you want competition, it's what makes great teams. If no-one is pushing you then you are not pushing yourself so it's important we've got that."

Capello's men are on the brink of sealing their place in South Africa next year and the Italian will then have some massive decisions.

Beckham is expected to be loaned from LA Galaxy to AC Milan to maintain his sharpness at the end of the MLS campaign.

The 34-year-old, who again refused to rule out an eventual return to the Premier League, said: "It's important I'm playing in a European league leading up to the World Cup."

In goal, Robert Green has started three games in a row following injury to David James.

"I feel I am finding my feet at international level," the West Ham stopper said. "This was the most comfortable I have ever felt in the international scene.

"I'm sure David James will come back fitter and stronger than ever. There are a number of other guys wanting the shirt and whoever is on form will get the shirt.

"The manager will watch all of us at games and see how we are doing in club football. For the first time that has really been taken into account - your form. So the importance to keep your focus and form throughout the League season is paramount.

"The carrot of the World Cup is the biggest there is. To be tantalisingly close is something which no-one in the squad is underestimating if and when we qualify."

Skipper John Terry is cautious about talking up England's chances of winning the tournament, even if the squad is full of confidence.

"We're all believing in ourselves, the manager believes in us and we've got as good a chance as anybody but we need the support of everybody and we don't want anyone to get too carried away," he said.

"We're progressing to where we want to be and hopefully that comes at the right time and hopefully when we do qualify for the World Cup we'll be in top form."

 

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SCOTS MISSED 'LEADER' WEIR - BOYD

Kris Boyd may have put his own Scotland career on hold but he believes Rangers team-mate David Weir can still play a major part in resurrecting the national team's ailing World Cup campaign.

Weir was a surprise omission from George Burley's squad for Wednesday night's disastrous qualifier in Norway after the Scotland boss admitted he wanted to give younger players a chance.

However, Boyd believes the 39-year-old central defender's experience could have been crucial in Oslo after the home nation ran riot with a 4-0 victory which places a huge question mark over the Scots' ability to qualify for South Africa through the play-offs.

With Gary Caldwell suspended for the next game against Macedonia and Steven Caldwell, Christophe Berra and Stephen McManus all nursing injuries, Burley has hinted that Weir could be back in his plans for next month's double-header, which also sees Scotland host group winners Holland.

And, as far as Boyd is concerned, the Rangers captain's importance to the cause in those two crunch matches cannot be emphasised enough.

"He would be massively important," said the Ibrox striker.

"When you look at the game, I think he was missed. You have seen what has done for Rangers over the last couple years.

"He is a leader. Looking back, I think Scotland could have done with him.

"He is so clever upstairs and he knows the game inside out and he gets away with it every week.

"He has looked after himself and he has done really well in his career. I wouldn't be surprised if he is still going for another two or three years yet.

"When you see someone who is as old as the coaches still playing, you can only dream of being there yourself one day. He is a leader and everybody looks up to him."

Boyd informed the Scottish Football Association he no longer wished to be considered for selection while Burley is boss after he was left on the bench for the goalless stalemate with Norway at Hampden last October.

And the striker refused to be drawn on whether he would be willing to make a shock comeback in a bid to boost the nation's qualification hopes.

"It was a disappointing result for Scotland and I think the whole nation is hurting," he said.

"But we need to pick ourselves up and go again for the last two games.

"It's the same for me as it is for everyone else. You want your country to win and you are hurting as well.

"When a score like that comes through you are obviously disappointed. But we will rise again one day."

As for Scotland's participation at the World Cup finals, he admitted: "It's certainly going to be difficult. But you never know in football."

Meanwhile, Scott McDonald has backed Celtic team-mate Caldwell to bounce back from the red card which sparked Scotland's downfall.

"Of course he will," said McDonald. "He has a week to think about it, I suppose, because he is suspended for the weekend.

"We will miss him and hopefully we will have enough centre-halves to play at the weekend. He will be a huge miss, he was massive for us last year."

While most Scotland fans will struggle to find any positives from the debacle in Oslo, McDonald believes the sight of Scott Brown back in action following ankle surgery was certainly a boost for Celtic ahead of their SPL opener at Aberdeen.

He said: "He was our player of the year last year so it's a massive boost for Celtic and for Scotland.

"Unfortunately, it didn't work out for them last night but he is going to be a big player for the future for both hopefully.

"I'm sure he will be in contention to play against Aberdeen and hopefully he can play for us on Saturday because he is a massive influence."

 

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DEFOE UP FOR WORLD CUP BID

England striker Jermain Defoe is desperate to erase the bitter memory of missing the 2006 World Cup - but he expects plenty of competition for a ticket to South Africa next year.

The 26-year-old was among the players on standby three summers ago - with Sven-Goran Eriksson famously gambling on Theo Walcott instead - and only returned home from Germany the day before the opening clash against Paraguay.

The fact that senior England players praised his commitment and professionalism was no consolation to the Tottenham marksman at the time.

"It was a massive disappointment for me, I was so close - I actually travelled to Germany and had to come home," he said. "But things happen for a reason and hopefully this time I can play.

"What happened is a massive motivation for me. Sometimes people say disappointment is a blessing. If things go your way all the time in life then you may get complacent.

"You want that fire in your belly and this time I definitely have that fire in my belly because of what happened in 2006. I definitely don't want to go through that again.

"I just want to make sure I am on the plane this time."

Defoe is enjoying his best spell for England after struggling to deliver for Eriksson and Steve McClaren, with his tally under Fabio Capello now at seven from nine appearances.

Granted, five of those were against Trinidad and Tobago, Kazakhstan and Andorra - but this week he scored twice against Holland to earn a draw in Amsterdam.

"This is the best time of my England career, definitely," he said. "I've worked really hard and I've always believed that when you work hard you get results.

"I've worked really hard in the gym and with my running and training at the club so I feel sharp at the minute. I just want to go back to the club now and keep it going and have a good season."

If all his strikers stay fit, Capello will have big decisions to make when England seal qualification to the World Cup.

Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney are his preferred choice and Carlton Cole impressed at the Amsterdam ArenA, with Peter Crouch boasting a fine England goalscoring record and the likes of Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor looking to catch the eye when the season starts.

There is also Michael Owen, who is bound to get chances at Manchester United and is hungry to add to his 40 England goals.

"It's good for the country and fantastic news for Michael that he's at one of the best clubs in the world," Defoe said.

"I'm sure that he'll score a lot of goals there. But I've got to concentrate on myself and I'm playing with a lot of good players at Tottenham, I know I'm going to get goals."

For Defoe, however, there is no sympathy for his rivals. After the cruel build-up to the last World Cup, he just wants to be on the plane to South Africa and is happy to come off the bench like he did this week.

"I've always said I just want to keep myself in the frame and if it means coming on and trying to make an impact then I'll do that," he said.

"Everyone wants to start games and everyone's doing their part - the lads that came on, the manager's showed faith in a lot of the boys.

"My goals to game ratio definitely gives me a lot of confidence. When you're scoring it's fantastic and that brings confidence."

Skipper John Terry noticed that Defoe returned to international duty looking sharp after the summer break.

"In training before the game we did finishing and, honestly, he was unbelievable," Terry said. "He is one of the best natural finishers I've come across. He's so sharp in and around the box.

"It must have been very disappointing for him personally to miss the last World Cup and he has another chance now with the campaign coming up."

 

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FAB EXCUSES GENEROUS ENGLAND

Fabio Capello is happy to excuse his players handing out a few gifts in Amsterdam - he does not expect to witness the same generosity in South Africa next year.

Getting a decent performance out of his England team in Holland was always going to be a stiff task, so Capello was probably reasonably satisfied as he flew back home.

Obvious mistakes from Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry apart, Capello could pick out half a dozen reasons for optimism which, given the unpromising circumstances of the situation, was more than enough to be thankful for.

"We have not practiced," complained Capello. "Never.

"On Monday we had 10 players at training. On Tuesday we had all the players but we could not practice anything.

"Three times in the game we fell asleep; both goals and once where we gave the ball to Robben.

"We don't want to it again but this is still pre-season. The World Cup is not in pre-season."

Capello's point is fair enough. Yet the aberrations made in the Amsterdam Arena appeared more mental than physical. And surely his players will be drained by next June, once the usual 10 months of intense combat at home and abroad has taken its toll.

But the Italian knows what he is doing and has earned an element of trust with the results he has achieved so far.

Avoiding defeat away from home against the team ranked third in the world is an accomplishment to be embraced, particularly as an excellent night's work in Berlin last November seems to have been overlooked by experienced England watchers despite it being sandwiched in between defeats to France and Spain.

Strangely though, the plus points, with the exception of Frank Lampard, all concerned Capello's fringe players.

Michael Carrick turned in a tidy second-half display, so too Shaun Wright-Phillips who replaced an ineffective David Beckham whose worth to this England side - and it is a valuable one - is surely as a substitute.

Both though were outshone by James Milner.

Finally too old for an England Under-21 side he collected an incredible 46 caps for, Milner could force his way into Capello's plans on a regular basis judging by the way he attacked the Dutch defence last night, creating the visitors second goal in the process.

"Milner played very well," said Capello.

"What he did was really important for the result and for the performance. His movement, both with and without the ball, was very good, although all the forward players did well."

At the head of that group were Defoe and Carlton Cole.

Ironically, both men seem to be in a head-to-head duel with a more experienced rival for a ticket to South Africa.

In Cole's case the challenger is Peter Crouch, although as Capello has never completely been wn over by the new Tottenham player's unique style, it is a battle he should win.

Defoe is the really intriguing one given Michael Owen is aiming for his place.

It is assumed Owen will hit some kind of form with Manchester United that would be enough to warrant Capello's attention.

Yet Defoe has now scored nine times for the Italian, including four in his last two appearances, compared to none for Owen.

And, when emphasising Defoe's qualities Capello made pointed reference to the one aspect of Owen's play which, undoubtedly, is not what it was. His speed.

"The door is open for every player," he said.

"I like players who are good technically and are fast.

"Because Defoe is small he finds form quickly. But I am happy when he plays with us because he always plays well.

"He is dangerous and he scores goals. If he plays from the first minute he plays well. When he comes on in the second-half he plays well too."

As time is so short - five matches at the most and only four for the Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United contingent - before Capello names his squad for the friendly with Slovenia and World Cup qualifier with Croatia on September 9 when victory will take England through, not many changes are expected.

David James will no doubt return providing he comes through Portsmouth's early-season fixtures unscathed, although whether Capell willing to take another chance on Ben Foster's fragile fitness is open to debate.

Glen Johnson was one of the underperforming collection of England players. But while the new Liverpool signing does not have the experience of Ferdinand to reinforce his position, there are no obvious alternatives for the right-back slot given neither Wes Brown nor Gary Neville are in the peak of health.

 

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TERRY: FAB FACES SELECTION POSER

England skipper John Terry expects Fabio Capello to be given a selection headache ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Croatia next month.

Capello's first-choice team picks itself but there are clutch of players giving the England boss options, with Jermain Defoe catching the eye with two goals against Holland this week and Carlton Cole also playing well in Amsterdam.

Next is a friendly against Slovenia on September 5, then the Croatia clash four days later that could see England edge closer to South Africa.

"These friendlies are massively important for those guys on the bench," Terry said. "It's a chance to come on and show what they can do.

"When Carlton Cole is like he was against Holland, he's unplayable. Jermain had his goals and his movement. James Milner did really well and so did Michael Carrick.

"It gives the manager a lot of food for thought and problems for the next game. That is why the guys are there in the squad, to give us great strength in depth."

Terry feels strides have been made since losing to European champions Spain in February, illustrated by coming back from two goals down at Amsterdam ArenA.

"I think there is progress," Terry said. "To come 2-0 down as well against such a strong side. We're a bit disappointed that we didn't go onto win the game because we had a couple more chances.

"Overall we are happy with the draw after conceding two sloppy goals. We walk away happy and sometimes you learn more from the mistakes than if you go somewhere and win 2-0."

Defoe shone against the Dutch and Terry feels the Tottenham striker will be determined to make up for the disappointment of just missing the 2006 World Cup.

"It must have been very disappointing for him personally and he has another chance now with the campaign coming up," he said.

"If we get there he could be right in the frame, especially with his work against Holland. In training before the game we did finishing and, honestly, he was unbelievable.

"He is one of the best natural finishers I've come across. He's so sharp in and around the box as well."