BBC SPORT    BBC News >>   Graphics version >>   Change to UK edition >>

Sport Front Page | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports | Sports Talk | BBC Pundits | TV & Radio | Funny Old Game | N Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents: Teams | FA Cup | Eng Prem | Champions League | Uefa Cup | Eng Div 1 | Eng Div 2 | Eng Div 3 | Eng Conf | Scot Prem | Scottish Cup | Scot Div 1 | Scot Div 2 | Scot Div 3 | Europe | Africa | League of Wales | Internationals |
Sunday, 2 September, 2001, 12:13 GMT 13:13 UK

Lineker hails Owen-inspired England

England goalscoring great turned BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker gives BBC Radio Five Live his views on England's demolition of Germany in the World Cup qualifier.

It was a fantastic atmosphere inside the stadium.

Our studio was perched right on top of the England supporters. They were quite vociferous - it was a wee bit tasty.

It was actually hard just hearing ourselves speak, but it was fabulous to be there.

Michael Owen is a fantastic talent. We do tend to build people up and then knock them down.

People had a pop at him last year when he was clearly trying to get over some difficult injuries.

He's fantastically sharp at the moment - a world class player.

He's a player that does it when it really counts, and he's still only 21-years-old.

He's already scored 13 goals - I didn't score any goals for England until I was about 25 so it just puts into perspective - he is very special.

Eriksson clearly knows what he's doing.

He says all the right things and he's not getting carried away with this victory.

Just like he didn't get carried away with the defeat against Holland - that's the sensible approach.

He knows everyone else will get carried away for him - his job now is to guard against any sort of complacency.

Because that is the only thing that can cost England victory on Wednesday against Albania.

He might be the iceman but he must have stirrings within him after that England performance.


^^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | ©