VIDEO: Terry's pride
Nicholas Veevers
Tuesday, 22 March, 2011
John Terry delighted to regain the England armband.
Click here for video of the press conference.
England’s John Terry has spoken of his joy at being handed back the captain’s armband ahead of the Three Lions’ trip to Wales at the weekend.
Fabio Capello’s men resume their European Championship qualifying campaign in Cardiff on Saturday and the Manager has re-instated the Chelsea defender as his leader on the pitch.
That has come as a big boost to Terry, who spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon after the squad’s first training in the morning.
"On a personal level I am delighted to be back. I have the passion and that's still there and I’m looking forward to leading us out at the Millennium,” he said.
"I am looking forward to getting back out there and leading the team out again. I know there will be pressure and I expect nothing less than what is asked of me.
"I will concentrate, keep my head down and keep playing well for club and country.
“Naturally I’m ready for the spotlight. There’s no getting away from that, but I’ve been fully concentrating on my form for both club and country.”
Terry also revealed that he feels he has the full support of his team-mates in Capello’s decision after over a year since he initially lost the captaincy in early 2010.
“I think I’m older and very much wiser now,” he added. “I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, but I want to win for England.
“None of the squad has a problem with me being captain. I’ve read a few things over the last few days and if any of the players have a problem, I’d ask them to come to me personally.
“We all had a chat this morning before training and everything is fine, I want to win games and the rest of the team do too, so that’s the most important thing for me.
“Even though, I’ve got the armband back, if you look around the dressing room we have some fantastic leaders in and around the camp.
“The likes of Frank Lampard who has done it, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, who could be a future captain. You then have the likes of Joe Hart and other younger members of the squad.”
With Rio Ferdinand having held the captaincy since then, Terry also paid tribute to his fellow defender for the support he has offered him since the news was revealed.
Ferdinand is out of the squad at the moment through injury, but Terry revealed the pair have spoken and he takes the armband with the full backing of Ferdinand.
"Rio is a great man and he has wished me well,” he added. “I had a chat with him the other day after our game - he's a great man and he cares about England and winning football.
“We spoke for about ten minutes and England winning is the main think. I am fully fit and looking forward to playing well. I want to win games."
Now, attention is fully focused on Saturday’s game at the Millennium Stadium and Terry believes the Three Lions can expect a fiery reception in Cardiff.
“We know Wales pose a threat and we know all about them and what to expect,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough game. They have some good players as we’ve seen so many of them in the Premier League.”