McClaren ‘thrilled’ with Dutch draw

ENGLAND boss Steve McClaren was thrilled by his team’s performance despite a late goal denying them victory over Holland in Amsterdam.

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring in the 37th minute, converting Joe Cole’s cross to bundle the ball home over the line from close range for his first goal for England for 12 months.

Despite looking comfortable in the second half, however, England conceded an equaliser in the 86th minute when a long throw into the box was headed on, falling to Rafael van der Vaart to score with a half volley.

“There was a lot of fluidity. We had penetration up front and I’m very pleased with the performance,” said McClaren.

“When everyone is fit and available we have a strong team, a good team.

“We are moving forward and the preparation has to be right for when we meet Israel in March.”

McClaren reserved praise for Everton striker, Andrew Johnson who was played out of position on the right and did not come close to scoring.

The former Middlesbrough boss continued: “He did a fantastic job for us, what he was asked to do.

“It was fluid and we wanted flexibility. I wanted us to get the best out of each player. He did a job for the team.”

McClaren also paid tribute to debutant Micah Richards saying: “The two days he’s been with us it’s as if he’s been with us for years.

McClaren continued: “We tried three up front to put pressure on them and for the majority of the game it worked.

“I was also very impressed with the midfield trio, while Wayne Rooney is coming back into form and deserved his goal – it was a massive boost.

“Everyone contributed and played as a team.”

The England boss explained: “I think we are a little bit further on – we lacked penetration in the final third in our previous two games but today we had that pace with AJ, Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

“It stretches defences and gives midfield players more room, which they exploited.”

But he was not happy with the goal conceded, adding: “If you’d said it would be a long throw we conceded from – I wouldn’t have put money on it.

“We defended very well all night so to concede like that is very disappointing.”

HOLLAND: Timmer (Stekelenburg 46), Boulahrouz (Jaliens 61), Ooijer (Vennegoor of Hesselink 84), Mathijsen, Emanuelson, Landzaat, Schaars, Seedorf, Van der Vaart, Kuyt (Huntelaar 61), Robben.

ENGLAND: Robinson, Richards, Ferdinand, Terry, Ashley Cole, Gerrard, Carrick, Lampard, Joe Cole (Richardson 78), Rooney, Johnson (Wright-Phillips 74).

Ref: Lubos Michel (Slovakia).