Hiddink vows to deliver Euro KO

Russia coach Guus Hiddink last night heaped the pressure on Steve McClaren by vowing to deliver a knockout blow to England's Euro 2008 hopes.

Hiddink, who masterminded Russia's 2-1 victory against England which left McClaren on the brink, declared he was "very confident" of finishing the job with a victory against Israel on Saturday.

That result, with the formality of victory in Russia's final game against Andorra to come, would make England's own last group game against Croatia four days later meaningless — putting McClaren under huge pressure to hang on to his job.

Speaking from Moscow, Hiddink said: "We know Israel will be hard to beat away but we are very confident. The victory against England was a big boost to us and we'll go for goals in Israel."

Hiddink will this week take the Russians to a four-day training camp in Cyprus.

The Dutchman added: "Before England, we worked on two systems, one to contain, one to attack. When we were behind at half-time, the players were able to switch comfortably. I think we'll use that second-half team in Israel. We need to win."

McClaren is likely to lose his job if England go out. Hiddink, though, seems to see his future in Russia, adding: "I've brought the average age down from 29 to 23 and that will help looking towards the 2010 World Cup."