A dressing room with a view

SO here we are, finally, on the eve of Euro 2012 and what, for me, will be the three biggest games of my life. With, hopefully, a few more to come. Although I’m fully aware of the magnitude of what’s at stake, one of the biggest things for me and for all the lads is that we play the game and not the occasion. As it happens, I’ve always felt that the big pressure games bring out the best in our team and I’m hoping that will be the case again in the Euros.

After the long build-up, the matches can’t come quick enough now. The day before and the day of the game are the longest days. By that stage you’re just itching to be out on the pitch.

Next Saturday night I’ll be thinking a lot about Croatia and the various permutations it might throw up. But it’s also important that you can switch off and not over-think things or you’ll end up doing your head in. Fortunately, over the years, I’ve developed the knack of being able to sleep well on the night before a game, so that I’m always sure of waking refreshed and ready to go in the morning.