England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

Gerrard eyes Turkey repeat

16 Oct 2007 - 08:38:02

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England midfielder Steven Gerrard believes Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Russia has many similarities with the game four years ago against Turkey.

England ground out a 0-0 draw in Istanbul in 2003 to qualify for the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal, and a similar result in Moscow would leave Steve McClaren's side on the verge of sealing their place in next summer's finals.

"I can remember that the atmosphere in the dressing room before that game was tremendous," said the Liverpool star.

"You looked around and you knew you could trust the player next to you.

"We gave everything we had and came through that night, and the feeling now is similar.

"That's what it's like. That's why we're getting better results. We've been through bad times, been there for each other and we're stronger because of it.

"We know what we have to put in if we want to get something out of it. The atmosphere in the stadium was intimidating but we played as a team and I'm sure it will be the same with Russia.

"I look back on the [5-1] win over Germany, the draw in Turkey, games like that and they are big nights, for big players and leaders to step forward. The manager and his staff deserve a lot of credit for what has happened in recent games.

"When we were getting stick I remember how Steve McClaren and the staff stood by us all, believed in us and told us we would come through it. We are all in it together."