Post by Scott on Jun 30, 2006 13:55:11 GMT
From Sky Sports:
"It's probably the biggest game of my career if I'm being honest. It's a massive game," he revealed.
"We badly want to win it because if you get to the last four anything can happen and hopefully we can do well.
"I think we have a good chance, we can certainly win the game. Hopefully we can win and progress to the semi-final."
The crucial last eight encounter is a repeat of the Euro 2004 quarter final between the sides, which Portugal won on penalties, but the Three Lions man wants to be relaxed rather than dwell on thoughts of revenge.
"Before a match I just do what I normally do, in the dressing room or at the training ground," he explained.
"It's a good way for me to prepare because it keeps your mind off things. More than anything it keeps me focused on the game because if I sit there thinking about it too much that's not good.
"I don't want to be doing that. I want to be relaxed and know what job I have to do. It's the same on the pitch, I just play the game as I see it.
"You don't want to be thinking about things half an hour before you are playing, you just want to be concentrating on your football and then go out and try to do it off the cuff."
Christ, we better be providing him with bigger games than his in the next couple of seasons!
"It's probably the biggest game of my career if I'm being honest. It's a massive game," he revealed.
"We badly want to win it because if you get to the last four anything can happen and hopefully we can do well.
"I think we have a good chance, we can certainly win the game. Hopefully we can win and progress to the semi-final."
The crucial last eight encounter is a repeat of the Euro 2004 quarter final between the sides, which Portugal won on penalties, but the Three Lions man wants to be relaxed rather than dwell on thoughts of revenge.
"Before a match I just do what I normally do, in the dressing room or at the training ground," he explained.
"It's a good way for me to prepare because it keeps your mind off things. More than anything it keeps me focused on the game because if I sit there thinking about it too much that's not good.
"I don't want to be doing that. I want to be relaxed and know what job I have to do. It's the same on the pitch, I just play the game as I see it.
"You don't want to be thinking about things half an hour before you are playing, you just want to be concentrating on your football and then go out and try to do it off the cuff."
Christ, we better be providing him with bigger games than his in the next couple of seasons!
