Boss relishes pressure

McClaren prepared for defining game in Moscow

Last updated: 17th October 2007

Boss relishes pressure

McClaren: In strong position

Yes, we would have liked to have qualified by now - but only Germany have done that. I have always said it would come down to the last two or three games, and so it has proved.

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England coach Steve McClaren is up for the challenge of the must-not-lose clash with Russia in Moscow.

Although his plans have been hit by the almost certain loss of captain John Terry to a knee injury suffered in training, after five straight Euro 2008 victories, McClaren has every reason to be in bullish mood.

While he is refusing to get carried away at the prospect of securing a place at next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland by beating Guus Hiddink's men, the challenge is one he is happy to face.

"Our qualifying campaign will be defined by what happens here - and that is great," he said.

"It is better than being here with no chance of qualifying. This is the position we wanted to be in at the beginning.

"Yes, we would have liked to have qualified by now - but only Germany have done that. I have always said it would come down to the last two or three games, and so it has proved."

Pressurised

Despite Terry's injury - which should see Sol Campbell retain his place in a defence probably also featuring Everton's Joleon Lescott as replacement for Ashley Cole - for once McClaren is in the happy position of being the least pressurised of the two managers.

While victory would take England through, a draw would leave Russia needing to beat Israel in Tel Aviv and then hope Croatia can defeat McClaren's side at Wembley on the same night, with Andorra on home soil their final game.

It is a healthy situation for the visitors and one that could hardly have been envisaged when England were lambasted by their own fans as they laboured against Andorra in March.

"Four or five games ago, so many people doubted we would be in this position," McClaren observed.

"We have come here knowing a draw is a good result - but we are coming here to win."