'Nonsense' to suggest England players don't care, says captain Steven Gerrard

 
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Steven Gerrard of England passes the ball during the International Friendly match between England and Scotland at Wembley Stadium on August 14, 2013 in London, England.
Clive Mason/Getty Images
Agency8 October 2013

Steven Gerrard has rubbished the idea England players do not care about international football.

The 33-year-old leads England into the World Cup qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland knowing back-to-back Wembley victories will sweep Roy Hodgson's men into next summer's World Cup Finals.

Four points would be enough if Ukraine fail to overcome Poland in Kiev on Friday, but anything less and England will find themselves in the play-offs, or even worse, eliminated altogether.

Past failures, such as missing out on Euro 2008, have sometimes led accusations that the players do not care about England, but that is an idea Gerrard rejects.

"It's nonsense to say that. Nonsense," Gerrard told the Daily Mirror.

"The pain and the agony - how long that lasted after we didn't qualify for Euro 2008 - I wish you could bottle that and show it to people who say those things and doubt how much we care.

"We care. Trust me, we care. No one cares more than the players.

"We understand the fans and media are passionate, but that's certainly the case in the dressing room.

"It's a shame the supporters and certain people can't go into the dressing room and see how we prepare and how much we want this.

"The word I use when people bring it up is just 'nonsense'."

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