Gerrard: 'Time for England to deliver'

Stand-in skipper Steven Gerrard has told his England team-mates ahead of their crunch Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley that it is "time to deliver".

With Russia suffering an unexpected 2-0 defeat in Israel on Saturday night, Steve McClaren and his men's European Championship qualiying campaign is back in their own hands.

A draw would be enough to see the three Lions through to next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland and Gerrard said: "It was a difficult weekend when it wasn't in our hands.

"But as soon as we knew we had a lifeline we were 100 per cent focused on the Croatia game. Now it's time to deliver on the pitch."

In the continued absence of skipper John Terry, Gerrard will once again lead his country and he is looking forward to helping McClaren achieve his aim of guiding England to Euro 2008.

The talismanic Liverpool midfielder, who could have David Beckham alongside him in the midfield at Wembley, said: "I'm very proud to lead this side.

"For England it probably is (my biggest game as captain). But I've captained Liverpool in enough big games to know what it's all about.

"To come off the pitch on Wednesday night knowing we'd qualified would be great."

McClaren, meanwhile, is remaining tight-lipped over his selection for England's final Group E qualifier.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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