England captain Steven Gerrard has warned Wayne Rooney not to lose his head again in the cauldron of Montenegro, with England’s World Cup hopes resting in the balance on Tuesday night.
Rooney was sent off the last time the two countries met in Podgorica 17 months ago and Gerrard is adamant their Balkan opponents may try to provoke another reaction when the two leading teams in Group H clash again with a place at Brazil 2014 at stake.
‘It’s important we keep 11 men on the pitch because it will be a very difficult game,’ said Gerrard. ‘It’s going to be a pressure situation and we don’t need to give the referee any excuse to send any of us off or unnecessary yellow cards. It’s important everyone takes responsibility and stays on the pitch.
‘Montenegro will be trying to claim everything and intimidate the referee into making rash decisions.’
Rooney was sent off for kicking out at Montenegro’s Miodrag Dzudovic in the final qualifying game for Euro 2012. Although
England reached the finals with a 2-2 draw, Rooney was suspended for the first two matches and struggled for form and fitness in the tournament.
Montenegro are frustrated at the image being presented of them as masters of the dark arts, with manager Roy Hodgson also warning his players last week to be careful.
Defender Stefan Savic, a Premier League title winner with Manchester City last season, insists Rooney had only himself to blame for his red card, adding that his small country will rely on football ability alone to beat England on Tuesday.
‘They (Gerrard and Hodgson) are wrong if they think we will try to wind up England players,’ he said. ‘Last time, nobody provoked Rooney. In a moment of temper he kicked our player. Everyone saw it. Rooney lost it and made that kick, I don’t know why.
‘We will only think about football in our team. It is the philosophy of our coach. It will be a passionate but sporting atmosphere.’
Montenegro had more than 40,000 applications for tickets for the match at the City Stadium, which holds only 12,000 – and just 1,270 England fans will be there.
Gerrard, who will return to lead the side after missing Friday night’s 8-0 romp in San Marino, added: ‘We all know how hostile it will be before the game but I’m sure the manager will be reminding everyone again.
‘It’s a massive game and we have to make sure we take the three points and take control of the group.
‘The hard work starts now. (San Marino) was all about being professional, getting three points on the board and trying to entertain, and the lads did that.
‘But everyone knew with these two fixtures, the more important one is Tuesday. It will be a much tougher test because they’re a really good team.’
Montenegro travelled to Moldova and beat them 1-0 on Friday but had midfielder Milorad Pekovic sent off and suspended for Tuesday. They currently lead England in Group H by two points as they bid to become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup. Only the group winners qualify automatically for Brazil 2014, with the runners-up going through to a play-off.
Gerrard added: ‘We’ll be expecting a real cauldron. Their supporters will make it as hostile as they can. But we’re be used to it and we’re here to handle it. It’s similar to when we played Andorra and then went to Croatia. Any time you are away from home, their supporters are up for it. They will be desperate to beat us.’ – Mail On Sunday