England heading for Brazil

ROY HODGSON last night hailed his England heroes after they booked their ticket to the World Cup.

And the 66-year-old Three Lionsboss said leading England to Brazil2014 was the greatest achievementof his career.

England bagged the Wembley winthey needed against Poland toseal their spot in next summer’stournament.

Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard struck at the end of each half ona nail-biting night to send Englandthrough as unbeaten Group H winners.

Hodgson said: “I’m delighted forthe players. These matches against Poland and Montenegro on Fridaywere high pressure ones, but their performances have been good. “It’s job done and we can be proud of that achievement.

“We’re very happy, and we’re looking forward to getting our reward – playing in Brazil, something the whole nation wantsand backs us over.

“I have great trust in my players that they will not let us down. “There will be a lot of pressure on us, but this team is growing in terms of accepting pressure.

“And the real beauty is the blend between the senior and young layers looks good. I think this tops the lot. To go to the World Cup in 1994 and Euros in 1996 with Switzerland after so many years, that was a pretty good achievement.

“But I’m English. As an Englishman, it means a little bit more to you.” Hodgson endured an emotional rollercoaster on the touchlines during a nervejangling 90 minutes.

He was caught on camera cursing with relief after England survived a fi rst-half scare, then at one point after the break seemed to close his eyes as the tension almost became too much to bear. But he ended the night dancing a jig of delight thanks to senior stars Rooney and Gerrard.

Hodgson said: “I died a thousand deaths every time they crossed the halfway line.” Rooney eased some of the tension when he kept his head – despite losing his protective headband in the build-up – to nod in Leighton Baines’ cross just before the break.

And Gerrard burst through to score the second late on and get England’s World Cup party started.Hodgson said: “It was fitting that Gerrard got the second goal we needed. “If someone has played a captain’s innings for the team, it was him.”

Hodgson admitted he now has a huge headache trying to pick his Three Lions squad for Brazil

But before that he will have to see who England will face when they get there, with the draw for the finals taking place on December 6.

Hodgson added: “You want all these guys (in this squad) to go, and there’ll be another 15 I fancy will join us.

“It’ll be a tough job to pick 23. A lot more will merit selection on the basis of what they’ve done or are capable of doing. “I’m not looking forward to that situation."

Rooney said: “We’ve always remained positive, we’ve had great focus and belief about ourselves. It’s a good time for England, I think.

“We’ve got some great young players and the experience of players like myself, Steven and Frank Lampard, so it’s a great blend.”

On his headband-less goal, Rooney added: “It probably helped me in some ways that it was off when the ball came in because I could direct it better.

“I think it is the first time I have headed the ball without it on, but hopefully come the weekend I won’t have to wear it.” Skipper Gerrard added: “Since I’ve made my England debut there’s always been criticism from outside.

“But it makes you stronger, and under tremendous pressure we proved we could perform. That was for the supporters, who can make their plans for Brazil now.”

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