Source: Daily_Mail
Kenny Dalglish: Wilshere is good enough for England, so he's old enough
We are too obsessed by age in this country. Young players are considered a gamble and woe betide any 30-year-old who plays badly: it'll be said their legs are beginning to go. I've never understood it. A 25-year-old can have a shocker just like a teenager or a veteran.[LNB] Jack Wilshere is only 18 but, in my view, you shouldn't rule him out of playing for England in an important game because of his age. He has the talent and having played for Arsenal at Chelsea last weekend, Wembley clearly wouldn't overawe him even for a Euro 2012 qualifier.[LNB] Jack the lad: Wilshere has shown he can handle the big stage[LNB] I know the England Under-21s also have an important game on Tuesday, the same day as England's seniors face Montenegro, but, to be honest, if Wilshere doesn't play for the main team, I would see it as an opportunity missed and I'm glad Fabio Capello appears to have overruled Stuart Pearce on this occasion. [LNB] As important as the Under-21s are, if he's good enough for the senior team, surely that is where the priority should lie. And in my opinion, he is good enough to take his place among the best players in the country.[LNB] Yes, he is still a teenager but it's not as if the lad can't handle the big stage. He has been a regular in the Arsenal first team and already shown authority and presence in some really big games at Liverpool and Chelsea. He's mature beyond his years. English players are sometimes accused of lacking match intelligence, so when you get one that obviously knows how to play it's important to give him a chance.[LNB] Intelligent players like playing with intelligent players around them, particularly at international level. So Wilshere wouldn't have a problem spotting Ashley Cole's runs on the left or looking inside at times to link up with Wayne Rooney. He'd be on the same wavelength.[LNB] I've seen the kid play for Arsenal's youth team, Bolton on loan and this season at Liverpool in the Premier League. He knows when to deliver a pass and importantly the weight of his pass is good.[LNB] I like him and if he has to wait a little bit for his chance under Capello, surely it won't be too long. But if it was me, I'd have been tempted to blood him right away.[LNB] England will be expected to win on Tuesday, even though Montenegro are no mugs and top the group. With that in mind, I think Capello will play with two up front. Rooney is a definite starter if fit and any of the other three - Kevin Davies, Peter Crouch or Darren Bent - are suitable to partner him. I just don't know which one it will be.[LNB] Rough and tumble: Jack Wilshere is fouled by Romania's Ionut Neagu during Friday's Under-21 clash[LNB] They all have different attributes. Bent is the quickest, Davies holds the ball up best and Crouch carries an extra aerial threat that defenders hate.[LNB] Davies has had a good start to the season. I won't criticise past Bolton teams because any side are allowed to play directly if they want but I think his game has been refined since Owen Coyle's arrival at the Reebok Stadium and maybe that has helped him get the England call. You know his asset isn't running after balls into the corner but he can hold the ball up and bring others into play.[LNB] Bent was really impressive for Sunderland at Anfield a couple of weeks ago. He scored a penalty and looked really sharp with his movement in the penalty area. I wouldn't say his hold-up play is his strongest point but he seems to have improved from that showing.[LNB] Bent is capable of playing with Rooney. Maybe it will be between him and Davies because Crouch is such a good threat from the bench, not only because of his size but also his awareness around the penalty area, which is sometimes overlooked.[LNB] I remember Crouch scoring his first goal for Liverpool against Wigan after going 18 games without a goal. I've never seen a group of players so happy to see their team-mate score, which made me think that he must be popular in the dressing room.[LNB] Although each of the three potential strike partners will offer Rooney and England something different, he will be able to play just off any of them and find pockets of space where he can.[LNB] And if Adam Johnson plays, he'll be able to deliver the crosses from wide areas that Davies and Crouch will relish in particular.[LNB] I imagine Steven Gerrard will play in the middle and, personally, I think that's his best position.[LNB] But don't assume if England win well it is the end of Frank Lampard. [LNB]I don't see it as a dilemma having to pick him or Gerrard. They are both fantastic players and there is no reason why they can't play together. Most managers would feel the same, including Capello.[LNB] The final issue is the captaincy. I said last week that Rio Ferdinand needed to have an honest discussion with the England manager and tell him if his long-term fitness prognosis is good.[LNB] If Ferdinand is genuinely convinced he will be consistently available in the next two years, I wouldn't see any reason to take the armband off him.[LNB] But if he admits the reality is he may be in-out, in-out, then Gerrard deserves to be made permanent captain for the sake of stability.[LNB] 1. Fabio Capello's wide men are generally all better on the right, so there's an opening for Jack Wilshere to play on the left, tucked in a bit to allow Ashley Cole to charge forward. Wilshere is suited to that role, an intelligent player who can spot a pass, either to Cole outside or Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard inside. 2. Darren Bent has the advantage over Kevin Davies and Peter Crouch in terms of pace up front, while Rooney can dovetail with any of the forwards. The United man will be allowed to drop into 'the hole', where he'll have options and the awareness to pick the right pass. 3. I believe Gerrard's best position is central midfield. With Gareth Barry behind him as cover, he can get forward to support the two strikers. Whether he's captain or not, Gerrard will give 100 per cent for the team - he's not a sulker. I've been aware of Steven since he was14, he's so good he can play anywhere but this system will get the bestout of him.[LNB] The kings of Spain: Dalglish and Johnston[LNB]I'll be at Hampden Park on Tuesday night to watch Scotland take on Spain, a rematch of one of the greatest nights in my international career. In 1984, Spain were an extremely good side who had just contested the European Championship final but we beat them 3-1 on the way to qualifying for the World Cup. Mo Johnston scored twice and I got one as well but for some reason I ended up with all the headlines and Mo barely got a mention. [LNB]I've always felt bad about that! The victory was some feat. Spain not only had decent players like Emilio Butragueno but a couple of fearsome defensive heavies as well. Andoni Goikoetxea was named the Butcher of Bilbao and his partner Jose Antonio Camacho was no angel either. Maurice did well to survive the game against them, let alone score two goals. [LNB]It's why the wee man deserved a bit more praise at the time. This time we are playing the world champions, so we have to be realistic. [LNB]Scotland's 1-0 defeat on Friday against the Czech Republic was a real backs to the wall job but I think some of the criticism of Craig Levein's tactics has been a bit over-the-top. He played what he thought was the right way and very nearly got it right. If we end up with a draw on Tuesday, we'll consider it a cause for celebration.[LNB] A quick thank-you to all those who have bought my autobiography, My Liverpool Home (Hodder), and sent it up to No 5 in the book charts. The support is greatly appreciated and, although No 1 is best, No 5 is also a special number for anyone connected with Liverpool - the number of European Cup wins. [LNB] I see the bookies have made my old strike partner Ian Rush favourite to be the next Wales manager. If it happens, you may see the biggest Wales stars playing for their country regularly once again. I know Rushie is very highly thought of among the FA of Wales hierarchy and while some people might claim a lack of experience, believe me, he has what it takes. Big names like Craig Bellamy and Simon Davies would have ahuge respect for him - and I wouldn't rule out a return for Ryan Giggs if Ian asked him. What a comeback that would be against England![LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Kevin Davies, Craig Bellamy, Ryan Giggs, Fabio Capello, Jack Wilshere, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Darren Bent, Ian Rush, Peter Crouch, Adam Johnson, Simon Davies, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Craig Levein, Stuart Pearce, Owen Coyle, Steven Gerrard Places: Bilbao, Liverpool, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Montenegro, Czech Republic, United Kingdom
