Shearer backed to go out in style

Robson hails Shearer as an all-time England great

Former England boss Bobby Robson says Alan Shearer will quit international football on a high note at Euro 2000.

Shearer is leaving the England scene after the finals to concentrate on playing for Robson at Newcastle, but his club boss feels the stage is set for a great farewell performance at the European Championship.

He said: "He's been around quite a long time and he's always been the number one choice of successive England managers.

"He's number one to Kevin Keegan and he was to Glenn Hoddle and Terry Venables as well.

"He came just after my stint, but I've watched him over the years and he's been magnificent.

"You talk about England centre-forwards - with me it was Lineker, and you had Keegan himself, you had Nat Lofthouse and Tommy Lawton and people like that.

I've watched him over the years and he's been magnificent

Bobby Robson on Alan Shearer

"He's played in that mode for a number of years and you've got to say he's been one of England's best centre-forwards.

"Whatever acclaim he gets out of that, he deserves because he's certainly worked for it."

Effervescent

"Alan likes nothing more than to score goals and that keeps him rejuvenated and that keeps him happy and smiling and as long as that continues, he'll be effervescent," he said.

"But if you put poor crosses in, he's not going to head it, is he? If you put quality crosses in at the right angle and the right pace, then he's going to be a very dangerous player."

Shearer himself admits he has not been at his best in England's three warm-up matches before the finals, but he says calls for him to be replaced as the nation's first-choice striker are nothing new.

All I ask is for people to judge me after Euro 2000 - not before the tournament

Alan Shearer

"I had exactly the same before Euro 96 when half the country did not want me to play," he said.

"But that's life, this is something I have had before and it is something I will have again.

"It goes with the job. All I ask is for people to judge me after Euro 2000 - not before the tournament."

Firm backing

Kevin Keegan has once again givem Shearer his firm backing. He said: "Nothing that I've seen in these last three matches has influenced my opinion about him.

When he's gone, we'll miss him

Kevin Keegan on Alan Shearer

"He's lived with criticism and people questioning him for so long.

"It doesn't affect him and he knows that soon he will not have to live with it any more as an international footballer.

"The people who respect him most are those closest to him. When he's gone, we'll miss him. The team comes first.

"He's a great player and a key player. I'm not naming my team, but if Alan Shearer is fit he will be the captain and centre-forward."