Keegan: The dream lives on

The England bench erupts at the final whistle

Kevin Keegan hailed his side's strength of character as England secured their first competitive win over Germany for 34 years.

An emotional manager insisted there was more to come from his players as they kept their Euro 2000 hopes alive.

And he had harsh words for his country's press - which he said was responsible for the imminent retirement of his match-winning captain Alan Shearer.

"We ran our legs off out there," said Keegan. "We didn't have a lot of the ball at times.

I would like to think we can make them pay now like they made us pay for 34 years

Kevin Keegan

"The character came through and maybe that little bit of togetherness we've got might get us a long way in this competition, if we start to believe in ourselves once more.

"The dream lives on and we don't know when the final chapter will be written."

Keegan was full of praise for Shearer, who responded to criticism from press and public alike by scoring what is bound to become a historic winning goal.

"Alan Shearer has answered his critics," he added. "They have pummelled him, tried to destroy him, now at least give him two or three days before you knock him again.

"He has never given less than 100% when he has pulled on an England shirt.

Relief for Keegan and playmaker Beckham

"You people (the press) are responsible for Alan Shearer retiring from international football. No-one has given him a chance. But he's a man among men and would still captain my side in the World Cup qualifying if I had my way."

Keegan admitted it was the greatest night of his illustrious career with England playing in the red shirts in which they last beat Germany in a competitive match - the World Cup final of 1966.

"I don't think it was just the red shirts though," said Keegan.

"It was spirit and togetherness. We get fed up in England of people saying Germany have something on us. I would like to think we can make them pay now like they made us pay for 34 years."