After Wayne Rooney’s abuse, Steven Gerrard warns England team-mates
Captain Steven Gerrard has cautioned to his teammates to be inside the circle of disciple and etiquettes in South African journey if they want to clinch the World Cup for 2010.
After Wayne Rooney’s outburst at the referee in the last friendly match for England, the world class striker shouted ‘f**k you’ at the referee for failing to spot a number of fouls committed by the opposition against him. Gerrard has warned all his fellow players not to play with redundant risks, bookings and red cards.
The English team has been previously known for their show off attitude against officials and players on the field. In another perspective, the English players have produced damaging statements in the media against their adversaries of the past. One popular example was Sir Alf Ramsey’s statement after they won a controversial quarter-final in 1966 against Argentina. Ramsey had claimed, “We have still to produce our best, and this is not possible until we meet the right sort of opponents, and that is a team that comes out to play football and not act as animals”.
Fabio Capello and Gerrard have both emphasized that they are not in need of getting over heated. Gerrard advised, “You don't swear at them, do you? That’s the answer to that. In this day and age I think it’s important to show the referees some respect. You don’t use any language because then you’ll be booked and the whole team suffers”. He further added, “You don’t want to fall into that trap”.
Rooney will be targeted this tournament by other teams as well. Most teams are planning to flare up the forward from Manchester United. As a result, the English think tanks are pondering over-time to see if he would be safe option or not. Rooney in fact has had a past littered with misconduct but a year has passed and his control has improved dramatically.
They also can’t bear to bench him as he is amongst the most anticipated footballer to be on the top in the upcoming World Cup which launches today. Capello has told that he has full confidence in the 24-year-old to ace the tournament for his team and though Rooney has made a comeback from an ankle injury, he was and still is in top notch form.
In reference to Wayne Rooney, Gerrard clarified that Wayne was an experienced footballer who knew how to tackle if he was being targeted. He explained that Wayne knew he was one of the most important men not just on the squad but on the field so he’ll need to be careful.
He told that there was no need for his players to get entangled with referee and the officials for no reason and he will have their back if injustice was being done. Being the idol that he is at Liverpool and known for his charismatic personality, Gerrard is bound to do a good job in that department.
“I’m honoured to be leading the lads out in a couple of days," Gerrard commented him being the man with the band, "The first I heard of Rio’s injury and that I would be captain, I had mixed emotions”.
He then added, “I was sick in the stomach for Rio, who's a great player, a massive player for us and it's deeply disappointing that he will not be available, but it's now my responsibility to lead the boys out.”
He confirmed that he had a massive responsibility on his shoulders which he would try his best to fulfil for England. After having a chat with Rooney, he confirmed that the dynamic player that he is, Rooney will keep his attention towards the game rather than firing around at people on petty issues. Gerrard explained that be it Rooney or anyone else from the English team, he will always support them and walk shoulder to shoulder with them in difficult times.
Gerrard further commented that he had full support from Team England along with Fabio Capello, “I think I am in this position as managers see that I am a good captain, they like the way I do things on the pitch. I think I have the respect of the players on the pitch and I will use the captaincy as a positive and not a negative”.
Tags: