Johnson reveals motivation

Reds full-back hungry for World Cup action

Last updated: 14th May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Johnson reveals motivation

Johnson: Determined to make squad

When I was out of the England squad I just focused on getting my head down and doing the best I could for my club.

Glen Johnson
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Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson says missing out on a spot in the last World Cup squad has made him even more motivated to make England's line-up this year.

The 25-year-old has been named in coach Fabio Capello's provisional 30-man party and is hoping to make the final cut to travel to the finals in South Africa in June.

Johnson had to watch England's World Cup campaign while on holiday in Dubai four years ago after being omitted from Sven Goran Eriksson's 2006 squad.

But rather than be disheartened, he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in the Premier League, and is now determined to seize the chance to compete in his first major international finals.

Opportunity

"Until the final 23-man squad is confirmed I won't take anything for granted but it would be fantastic to be involved," Johnson told his club's official website.

"I'm pleased with the way I've been playing and I've just got to keep trying to do the job to the best of my ability.

"I didn't get picked for the last one and I remember watching the games while I was on holiday in Dubai.

"But I never lost heart. I've always been confident in my own ability. When I was out of the England squad I just focused on getting my head down and doing the best I could for my club.

"If England came around again I vowed to try to grab that opportunity."

Regular

Johnson's international career was put on hold during Steve McClaren's hapless reign as England manager, but the full-back has been a regular in the Three Lions' set-up since Capello took charge in January 2008.

"It's always nice when a manager shows he believes in you - it gives you that extra bit of confidence," he added.

"Fabio is a great manager and a nice man. He's fantastic with the lads. He let's everyone know when it's time to knuckle down and get the job done and I think the boys have responded to that. His training regime is spot on and his tactics are second to none."