Gerrard ready to step in as permanent England skipper
Published 23:00 06/03/10 By Paul Smith
Steven Gerrard expects to be a stand-in England skipper.
But he’s told boss Fabio Capello he’ll jump at the chance if the Three Lions’ armband is handed to him permanently.
After leading the team for the first time in the 3-1 win over Egypt last Wednesday, Gerrard said: “It was a very proud moment for me and a fantastic result against a very good team. We deserve credit for turning it around.
“It’s difficult to describe how it feels to lead your country. It makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
“Ideally, Rio Ferdinand will be fit and back in time for the World Cup, but I’m always there if the manager needs me.”
Capello admitted that he tore into his team at half-time and demanded they up their work-rate — especially in pressing for possession higher up the pitch.
Gerrard added: “The manager demanded a reaction which he always does. No matter whether we’re drawing or losing, he wants us to improve and be more aggressive.
“It’s difficult to describe your manager as the best in the world because you don’t have the experience of working with every other manager, but we’ve got a top one and someone everyone enjoys working with.
“We qualified comfortably from the group and we keep showing we’re a really good team.
“This is a manager who, when he speaks, you sit up and take notice of what he says.
“He reiterated to us our responsibilities on and off the pitch and we’ll all have taken that on board.”
