Israel v England
European Championship 2008 Qualifier, Group E
6.30pm, Saturday 24 March 2007
Ramat Gan Stadium, Tel Aviv
Current group standings - click here
Archive: England's record with Israel - click here

England Head Coach Steve McClaren will tell his players to relax and play their natural game when they take on Israel in the upcoming Euro 2008 Qualifier.

McClaren believes that if the Three Lions combine that attitude with ‘English aggression’, then the result will take care of itself.

England face an important test when they come up against their Group E rivals in Tel Aviv, and McClaren expects his players rise to the occasion.

"It's a big game, an important one for us, and I believe it's a game for experience," McClaren said.

"We need to have a positive, aggressive nature going into this game. It's that 'English' aggression, backs against the wall kind of performance that we need."

Despite the importance of the fixture McClaren will be stressing to his players of theneed to be calm and concentrate on their own game.

McClaren explained that he will tell his players "Don't worry about it, be relaxed about it, go out and play your own game - the way you play week-in week-out - and if you do that the result takes care of itself.

"When you look around the dressing room, you need to be able look each other in the eye and know that we trust each other and have that respect. That's what we need going into Israel."

McClaren is also hoping to be able to call upon his captain John Terry, feeling that the Chelsea and England skipper's leadership qualities will be vital in the Ramat Gan Stadium.

"He epitomises that spirit, and that's why I picked him as captain, and to have him out there with us would be a massive boost.

"We've been in this situation before, I have been involved with England for five years and I remember when there were bad results and doubts about qualification.

"When the backs are against the wall that's when we have to stand up and step forward, we have big players who are good enough and who have done it before. We just have to go out and prove it."