UNITED KINGDOM: ENGLAND COACH GLENN HODDLE EXPECTED TO PICK 17-YEAR OLD MICHAEL OWEN FOR SQUAD FOR FRIENDLY SOCCER MATCH AGAINST CHILE

Record ID: 337833

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: ENGLAND COACH GLENN HODDLE EXPECTED TO PICK 17-YEAR OLD MICHAEL OWEN FOR SQUAD FOR FRIENDLY SOCCER MATCH AGAINST CHILE
  • Date: 9th February 1998
  • Summary: BISHAM ABBEY, NEAR LONDON, UK, ENGLAND (FEBRUARY 9, 1998) 1. DION DUBLIN 2. GLENN HODDLE 3. STEVE MCMANAMAN 4. MICHAEL OWEN 5. PAUL GASCOIGNE 6. ALAN SHEARER 7. CUTAWAY TO PHOTOGRAPHERS 8. NIGEL MARTYN 9. WIDE OF TRAINING FIELD 10. DUBLIN GOAL 11. SHEARER AND GASCOIGNE LAUGH 12. HODDLE SOUNDBITE: "I THINK HE'S (OWEN) AN INSTINCTIVE GOALSCORER, HE CAN PLAY IN A FEW POSITIONS, HE CAN PLAY AS A STRIKER, OR IN A WITHDRAWN ROLE OFF THE FRONT, HE'S A VERY INTELLIGENT PLAYER, AND THE POTENTIALS THERE AND THE ABILITIES THERE AT THE MOMENT, AND I'VE GONE ON RECORD AS SAYING, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THERE 34 OR 17, IT'S THEIR QUALITY...AND THIS LADS GOT QUALITY, AND I DON'T MIND SAYING IT IN FRONT OF HIM, BECAUSE THATS WHY HE'S HERE." (ENGLISH) 13. OWEN SOUNDBITE "IT'S A GREAT CHANCE FOR ME, IT'S A RECORD (BEING THE YOUNGEST PLAYER) EVERYONES BEEN TALKING ABOUT, IT WOULD BE A GREAT ACHIVEMENT TO GET IT, BUT I'M JUST LOOKING TO DO AS WELL AS I CAN THROUGH TRAINING, AND DO WELL IF I GET TO PLAY A PART IN THE GAME." (ENGLISH) 14. SHEARER SOUNDBITE, "I'VE PLAYED FOUR FULL GAMES NOW, TWO IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE AND TWO IN THE FA CUP, AGAINST STEVENAGE, THEY WERE BIG THINGS FOR ME, I'VE MANAGED THREE GOALS, I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE WAY IT'S GONE. I TRY NOT TO THINK ABOUT THE INJURY, IT'S ONLY WHEN THE QUESTIONS RAISED THAT I THINK ABOUIT IT, BUT THAT'S HISTORY NOW, AND IF I'M GONNA GET INJURED NOW THEN I'VE GOT THE SAME CHANCE FOR THE REST OF MY BODY BEING INJURED, THERE'S NO WEAKNESS IN MY ANKLE." (ENGLISH) Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 24th February 1998 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BISHAM ABBEY, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, NEAR LONDON
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVAAJFZC1XGUTOGOM2DJBLPKF4YI
  • Story Text: Coach Glenn Hoddle heaped praise on Liverpool striker Michael Owen, expected to become the youngest England player this century when he is named in the squad to meet Chile on Wednesday (February 11).

    Owen will break Duncan Edwards' 43-year-old record as the youngest England player this century if, as is likely, he is selected by Hoddle on Wednesday.

    The Manchester United legend was 18 years and 183 days old when he played against Scotland in 1955, while Owen will be 18 years and 59 days old.

    Hoddle said: " I think he's (Owen) an instinctive goalscorer.He can play in a few positions, he can play as a striker, or in a withdrawn role off the front.He's a very intelligent player and the potentials there and the abilities there.

    "I've gone on record as saying it doesn't matter if he is 34 or 17, it's their quality and this lad's got quality - and I don't mind saying it in front of him because that's why he's here." Owen is delighted at the piece of history that stands before him - adding a new chapter to his metoeric rise since being drafted into the Liverpool first squad.

    "It's a great chance for me, it's a record everyone's been talking about, it would be a great achievement to get but I'm just looking to do well as I can through training and do well if I can get to play a part in the game." With goalkeeper Tim Flowers sidelined by rib injury and key playmaker David Beckham apparently out, there was good news in the return to full health of striker Alan Shearer as England continues with its World Cup warm-up schedule.

    "I've played four full games now, two in the Premier leage and two in the FA Cup, against Stevenage, they were big things for me.

    "I've managed three goals no and I'm very pleased with the way its gone.I try not to think about the the injury.

    It's only when a questions raised that i think about it." But that's history now.
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