KOP News # 1598

Go for it! We gave Ukraine too much respect at the Euros says Gerrard

"They have players who can hurt us and could feel hard done by not to have got at least a point - we need to be on it against them"

Lucky day: Gerrard feels England could have lost to Ukraine at the Euros

Scott Heavey

Steven Gerrard has admitted England got lucky against Ukraine in the Euros this summer - and cannot afford to make the same mistake in the rematch.

Gerrard says the Euro 2012 co-hosts almost gave them a painful lesson as they came close to knocking out England in the final group match.

Wayne Rooney's goal earned a 1-0 victory but Roy Hodgson's men were left clinging on and should have conceded when John Terry cleared Marko Devic's shot after it crossed the line, but the goal wasn't given.

England captain Gerrard feels England didn't go for the jugular against Oleg Blokhin's men back in June and will have to be at their best to make it back-to-back wins after their five goal thrashing of Moldova on Friday.

Gerrard said: "There were times in the Euros when we gave them too much respect and stood off them and they had a few dangerous opportunities to score. Over the 90 minutes, they could feel hard done by not to have got at least a point.

"The difference for this game is we didn't know too much about Moldova before that game. We performed really well, but this game will be a bigger and tougher test.

"If you stand off them [Ukraine] and give them too much respect, they have players who can hurt us. We need to be on it against them.

"They are a group of players who have played together for a long time. Technically they are very good. If you stand-off these players, they can hurt you.

"But we won the game in the Euros, did what we needed to do, and hopefully we can get the same outcome.

"They have got our respect. They are a dangerous team. If you show them too much respect, they can hurt you.

"We were strong defensively against them in the summer and we got the job done. They will have a respect for us as well."

Gerrard made his debut against Ukraine at Wembley in 2000 when he had just turned 19.

He is in line to win his 99th cap on Tuesday and admits he and Ashley Cole would love to make it 100 on the way to reaching World Cup.

It has gone full circle for Gerrard as now he is the elder statesman who players such as Liverpool team-mate Raheem Sterling, 17, look up to.

That is another honour for Gerrard who has no doubts that, despite his surprise call-up, Sterling is ready and England do have strength in depth.

Gerrard said: "It's a dream come true when you get your first cap at Wembley. 100 caps would be a nice touch, for both me and Ashley.

"The important focus is to get to the World Cup - individual achievements are always nice along the way but I'm more interested in the points against Ukraine.

"Going back to the Raheem Sterling questions, just before that debut I was invited to come and train with the senior group with Kevin Keegan, along with Gareth Barry, to see how it all works.

"It takes a lot of pressure and nerves away when the step up came for real.

"When I was selected, I was judged by the rest of the squad. It'll be interesting to see how it works with Raheem Sterling.

"It opens the debate we've had before, about the amount of foreigners coming into the league. I don't think these questions would be asked if everyone was fit and available - Jack Wilshere, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole would all be here.

"We're speaking now because we have a lot of drop-outs and injuries. When everyone's fit and available, we'll be fine.

"It's a pleasure to help these lads. These lads are fantastic talents.

"They've got all the tools to go on and become fantastic players but let's not build them up and put too much pressure on and let them progress and become good players naturally.

"I wouldn't blame you guys for doing that because you see the performances they are putting in for their clubs and you can't help but get excited."

Echoing the thoughts of boss Hodgson, Gerrard is hoping that England will deliver a performance to entertain a big crowd and maintain the feel-good factor after a spectacular sporting summer.

He added: "It will be one of the higher attendances throughout Europe and on the back of the Olympics and Paralympics, it is incredible - it is incredible on the back of the Oympics.

"The onus is on the players to excite them and put in a good performance and get six points from our first two games."