Montenegro v England
2009 UEFA European Championship Group 3 Qualifier 
Friday 7 September 2007
City Stadium, Podgorica

Steven Taylor says captaining the England Under-21 side in Friday's European Championship qualifier against Montenegro will be one of the "proudest moments'' of his life.

Newcastle defender Taylor, 21, was called up to the senior squad for last month's Wembley friendly with Germany, but is more than happy to lead Stuart Pearce's Under-21 side and does not see it as a step down.

Taylor, who has succeeded Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker as Under-21 skipper, insisted: "To be handed the captaincy full-time is a massive honour not just for me, but for everyone connected with Newcastle.

"Friday will be one of the proudest moments of my life. I had a taste of the senior squad - and I'm hungry for more - but it's great to be with the Under-21s again. I don't see it as a step down.

"I captained the Under-21s a couple of times in the European Championships in the summer when Nigel Reo-Coker went off the pitch, but I'm still learning and playing under Stuart Pearce is unbelievable."

Taylor will collect his 19th Under-21 cap against Montenegro in Podgorica before Pearce's party head for Sofia to face Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Taylor added: "What we have to do is make sure we qualify for the championships in two years' time.

"It's a tough group with some big games. It's important we get some results early doors, rather than play catch-up. The squad is good enough to do that if we keep everyone fit.''
England's next game on home soil will be against Montenegro at Leicester next month. To book tickets and find out more about the game, click here...