Football: Gerrard enthused by ‘one-off’ Wilshere

LONDON: Steven Gerrard says he is excited about playing alongside Arsenal sensation Jack Wilshere in the England team.

The pair have only spent 13 minutes on the pitch together during the tenure of manager Roy Hodgson, largely due to an injury lay-off that kept Wilshere out of action for 17 months.

Wilshere was just eight years old when Gerrard made his England debut, in 2000, and already appears destined for an international career that could one day see him surpass the Liverpool midfielder’s current tally of 100 caps.

“He’s a great talent. From playing against him, what I’ve seen in training, and playing alongside him, he’s a one-off,” says Gerrard. “He’s a lot better than your average league midfielder. I think it’s vital we don’t put too much pressure and expectation on him. One man can’t be expected to carry a whole nation on his own.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2013.