HIERRO PLEASED WITH SCORING RECORD

REAL MADRID defender Fernando Hierro was naturally delighted at taking over as the leading Spanish scorer after his goal against Bosnia gave him 27 for his international career, one more than Emilio Butragueno.

However, the form of Real team-mate, Raul, who currently has 20 goals at the tender age of 23, would appear to mean that the 33-year-old will not be at the top of the scoring charts for long.

Hierro, though, was determined to bask in the limelight for the time being, saying: "That's a great personal satisfaction.

"The most important thing is that Spain won and that my goal was good for the victory."

The total is all the more impressive given that Hierro is generally played as a central defender, although the Real star does not see himself as such.

Hierro said: "I don't think I am a defender. Other times I have played in other spots, as I like to attack.

"I am 33-years-old and I think about each day, not further. Some people try to put a date on me, but I don't know it, so nobody can know it."

Hierro's next objective is to win his 81st cap, a feat achieved by the current Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho, although he has some way to go before beating Andoni Zubizarreta.

Hierro has played for Spain 79 times and said: "Camacho's figure is near, but not Zubizarreta's one. The only man who can achieve that is Raul due to his age."

A breakdown of Hierro's goals show eight have been from the penalty spot, five from free kicks, four with his head and ten from open play.