http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Phil-Jagielka-c29902, was gutted and happy at the same time over John Terry’s retirement from international football.
The veteran http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Anton-Ferdinand-c6260.
The English International said at the time of his retirement that his place in the national team had become ‘untenable’, but revealed that he would continue to play club football.
Terry was later slapped with a four-match ban by the Football Association after being found guilty of the charge raised against him.
Nonetheless, Jagielka stated that he was disappointed after knowing the defender’s decision to quit international football, as he feels that it was a big setback for the Three Lions.
However, at the same time, he viewed it as an opportunity for him to step up to the plate and fill his void and admitted of having ‘mixed emotions’ over the player’s decision.
“When John finished, I was gutted as an England fan. He has been a fantastic player for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749,” he told the reporters.
“But if you look at it from a purely personal point of view, it was one less person to compete with playing for England. It was also an opportunity for me to try and go higher up the pecking order.”
The 30-year old, who is a regular starter for the Toffees, has only managed 15 caps for his country so far. Throughout, he has carried second preference to Terry and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rio-Ferdinand-c31173 in the Three Lions squad and remained under their shadow.
Jagielka said that he has no complains over being overlooked in the past over the duo, as they had cemented their place in the team on merit.
However, he feels that the time is ripe for him to stake his claim and mentioned that he never gave up on the hope of representing his country.
“I wouldn't say I was resigned to never playing regularly because of John and Rio. But that's the role you get put into when there are people in front of you,” he added.
The Evertonian started in England’s 5-0 win in a World Cup Qualifier against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/San-Marino-c2998 last Friday.
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