Source: Daily_Mail
Everton skipper Neville is still hooked on the scent of Wembley
He is 32 and has seen it all in his days with Manchester United and England, but Phil Neville admits to being as excited as the youngest Everton rookie at the thought of challenging for an FA Cup semi-final place tomorrow.
The former England defender tasted Cup glory in 1996, playing in United's 1-0 final win over Liverpool at Wembley, and he is happy to remain a walking advert for the competition's enduring appeal more than a decade later.
Installed as Everton skipper after a £3.5million move three-and-a-half years ago, he leads a mixture of youth and experience into their Goodison Park quarter-final against Middlesbrough and can hardly wait.
'It's going to be an unbelievable occasion on Sunday, one of the biggest games I've played in for Everton,' he said. 'We need to get to the final and win a trophy, and that is the thought that will be driving us all on.
'We've had fantastic games and a real sense of occasion against Liverpool, twice, and in the previous round against Aston Villa, and it's going to be just the same against Middlesbrough.
'I don't think it's unusual that some of the older players here are just as excited as the youngsters at the prospect of being so close to Wembley. I know I am. Everything is new and exciting when you start out, but, as you grow older, it turns full circle and you begin to feel you might not get another opportunity like this.
'It's great to see the sense of excitement among the squad and the fans and that gets you up for the game. It's something the crowd have been chanting about for the past three or four games and it's here upon us now. We've got to make sure we make the most of it.'
A Wembley semi-final awaits the winners, but David Moyes insists his side's Cup run will count for something only if they are back there in May.
'Anyone who loves the FA Cup would surely agree Wembley should be reserved for the final and that the semis should be played at a different, neutral venue,' said the Barclays Premier League's manager of the month for February.
'I derive no excitement whatsoever from talking about Wembley unless it concerns being in the final.
'We're still up for this tie, though, because we know how much it would mean to everyone connected with Everton to win something.'
Moyes played down Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil's claim that Everton would be easier opponents than Cardiff last season and chose, instead, to talk up the contributions of teenagers Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling and February player of the month Phil Jagielka.
'I can see O'Neil's point, because Cardiff were maybe an unknown quantity, whereas all the pressure will be on us this time,' he said. 'I'm more concerned about our preparations, though, and the way boys of 17 or 18 have stepped in and shown such composure. It's like they are too young to feel any fear.
'Jags has been the country's outstanding centre half outside of maybe Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, and deserves his award.'
Moyes is confident Tim Cahill, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar will come through late fitness tests.
