McClaren pleased with win

England boss hails Israel victory

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 8th September 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

McClaren pleased with win

McClaren: Happy

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England coach Steve McClaren was full of praise for his side following their 3-0 win over Israel in their latest Euro 2008 qualifier.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Owen and Micah Richards scored to give England a convincing victory at Wembley on Saturday.

The victory keeps England's hopes of qualification for next summer's Euro finals alive, although McClaren knows the crucial game with Russia coming on Wednesday will be 'tough'.

"We just said, 'we need the result, whatever it takes, let's get the result' but they performed very well, they transformed what I see every week, on the training field and transformed that onto the game and there were some great individual performances," McClaren told Sky Sports News.

"There has been great determination - we have four games [left in qualification] and the players know what they have to do.

"They know they have to keep their feet on the ground, and we start work again - this is one result down.

"Israel are a good side, hardly get beaten and don't concede goals and we have to take heart from that but Russia will be tough."

Heskey display

McClaren refused to take huge plaudits for recalling Emile Heskey.

"It is not a case of vindication, it is a case of picking the players that I think will win the game," he said.

"Emile Heskey did the job he was required to do, he put himself about, created openings and was an outlet for us. I am pleased for him, it is difficult coming back in, and his attitude was good."

The England boss was particularly pleased with his two wingers, Joe Cole and Wright-Phillips.

"We knew the two wide players would be key to us and the first goal was perfect situation," he said.

Boos

David Bentley came on for his debut, but was booed by a sizeable section of the crowd, following his decision not to represent the Under 21s in the summer.

"I was disappointed with that," said McClaren.

"But David Bentley has got to handle that and he will, he has got the confidence and the arrogance to do that. And he showed that."