Steven Gerrard Big Interview: 'It could be my last shot at a trophy with England'

Steven Gerrard has targeted Euro success in what he reckons will be his last international tournament.

Gerrard has been frustrated by one England failure after another since he made his debut more than 11 years ago.

But having seen injury, penalties and qualification nightmares blight his six major tournaments, he is determined to go out on a high with Fabio Capello’s squad in Poland and Ukraine next summer.

The Liverpool star said: “If you put things into perspective, we’ve only been successful at one tournament ever and that makes you realise just how difficult it is to be successful at this level.

“But it would be nice, if this is to be my last tournament, to get to a semi-final or a final rather than come away disappointed like we have been previously.

“Going into any tournament as a player, you always take it as your last because you never know what could happen two years down the line.

“But I’m 31, I’ll be 32 by the time Euro 2012 comes around, so, ­whatever happens, I’ll be treating it as my last one.”

And if he is to have any chance of fulfilling his Three Lions dream, Gerrard says there is no argument about whether or not to take Wayne Rooney, despite the Manchester United striker being suspended for all three of the group games.

Rooney was red-carded in Montenegro last month, but Gerrard is in no doubt about his fellow Scouser’s value to the squad because, he says, the striker is the key to England having a chance of going all the way.

“I watched the Montenegro game at home. I got a few mates and my brother round and we just watched it,” said Gerrard.

“It was a shame for Wayne, we’re quite close and I know that will have hurt him very much. No one will be feeling that ­disappointment more than he will.

“We’ve now got to get out of the group [we end up in] and hope that he’s fit, fresh and available for us as we hopefully go further on into the tournament.

“If it was my decision, then I’d certainly take him. It is up to the manager but the early signs are that he will still take him, from what I’m reading anyway.

“He’s a player of such great ability and you can’t leave him out. We’re assuming we’re going to progress past the group stages and then you need players like Wayne Rooney in your team if you’re going to have a successful tournament.”

Gerrard is facing fresh injury problems with a leg infection and misses out against Spain and Sweden but he is encouraged by what he sees with England.

He said: “I am disappointed to be out for the friendlies but I will be watching the games and supporting the team. I’m still fighting to get fit again but I’m not far away from hopefully being involved in the England set-up again.

“I’ve had mixed emotions. It’s great to see the team doing well, that we’ve qualified but frustrating not to be more of a part of it. I was part of the early games but the lads have finished it off in style.”

Rooney’s absence from the early part of the tournament has left Capello exploring his options as to which system to use, who should play up front and in midfield.

Gerrard does offer versatility and admitted he will be happy to play wherever Capello best needs him and a chance to get forward from midfield appeals to him.

“All through my career I’ve played in different positions and given it my best and I’ll do the same again if he asks me to do that,” he said.

“I like getting forward, getting into the box, scoring goals and setting goals up which is a big part of my game.”

Gerrard admits that competition is strong for midfield places in the squad. It is not just him who is trying to recover from injury either. Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere has yet to play this season.

But the Liverpool star believes the emergence of Scott Parker as an England regular has strengthened Capello’s options and is convinced that Wilshere can come back strongly.

“I haven’t been part of the squad recently, but speaking to the lads, it seems the atmosphere is good, the spirit is good and they’ve qualified so it’s something to look forward to,” he said.

“But we’re at that stage now where people get carried away, ­expectations go through the roof when it’s important to stay grounded and focus on the ­important challenges ahead.

“The competition is healthy in the England squad. There’s three or four more friendlies before the tournament and hopefully that can help bring the best out of the team performance.

“But I think the priority is to get in the squad and then show the manager that you’re worthy of a place in the starting 11. I think that’s the aim for all of the players at the moment.

“Scott has done fantastic. I think he’s used the disappointment of not getting into squads in the past to really drive him on and improve his game.

“I think that’s showing in his performances. He’s probably one of England’s most consistent players over the course of ­qualification and certainly deserves his place in the team.

“Everyone wants to see Jack back as quickly as possible. He’s such a talented kid and I’m sure if he gets back to the form he was showing previously then I’m sure he’ll be a dead cert to get into the 23.

“He’s a fantastic talent. I don’t know how much longer the injury will take to heal, but anyone wanting England to do well wants to see him back.

“I want to see him playing really well again because he’s a great player to watch. Us as England players want him to be involved again and to help make us stronger.”

John Cross met Steven Gerrard at Knowsley Safari Park, where the England star was meeting Cancer Research Little Stars as part of the England Footballers' Foundation charity work. Go to www.englandfootballersfoundation.com

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Steven Gerrard's international tournament history

Euro 2000
Called up into England squad to debut in his first major ­international tournament.

Gerrard managed one substitute ­appearance in a 1-0 win over Germany, before England were eventually knocked out in the group stages.

2002 World Cup
Withdrew from the provisional squad with a groin injury.

Euro 2004
Became a regular starter under Sven Goran Eriksson and played impressively throughout the ­tournament, Scored once against Switzerland before England crashed out on penalties at the hands of runners up Portugal.

World Cup 2006
Finished as England’s top goalscorer with goals against Trindad & Tobago and Sweden. England reached the quarter-finals but a penalty shoot-out defeat against Portugal proved to be the stumbling block again.

World Cup 2010
Appointed as captain. Scored in an opening game draw with the USA but suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Germany in the first knockout round.

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