On his debut against the Czech Republic, March 1998
“I remember the jersey was about 10 times too big for me, and coming on for Alan Maybury. I think the manager made a lot of substitutes: Damien [Duff] started, I think, and I came on at half-time.
“I think I remember the Argentina game at home more so than the Czech Republic game. To play at Lansdowne Road, I used to go there and get my £2 ticket and sit in the schoolboy stand with my brother and my cousins. A few years later, to be actually playing there was great.
On his international highlights and lowlights
“I think the obvious one is Japan and Korea, the World Cup, and certainly the Germany goal.
YouTube Credit: rooney2cantona
“Unfortunately there have been a few lows — Macedonia in ’99 with the header in the last minute and France as well, something happened there. There has certainly been a couple but it has been a long road and long may it continue.”
On criticism
“It’s not something I worry too much about to be totally honest with you. I think as a football player, all you have to do if you do get criticised is do your talking on the pitch, by scoring goals and turning up for your country when other people don’t turn up, and having that will to want to do everything you can for your country.
“If people want to criticize me for wanting to play for my country, I don’t think I have the problem.”
On tonight’s strike partner Jon Walters
“He’s very similar to Shane [Long] in the way he plays. He’s very good in the air, very strong, holds the ball up well and he’s obviously got an eye for goal. It gives me the freedom to get behind him and get on the ball and try to make things happen.
“Jon has done very well since he’s come into the squad. He’s a good fella to have around the place, he has a big presence about him on the pitch and for whatever reason we seem to link up well.
(©INPHO/Donall Farmer)
On qualifying for the World Cup next summer
“If you look at the Euros for example, it’s amazing how sport can change a mentality of a country. It brings everybody together. Even though we didn’t do as well as we would have liked, you saw the amount of fans who turned up in their thousands and the atmosphere around the country.
“For them, it would be great and certainly for the players with the hard work we’re putting in to achieve that for ourselves and for the country.”
