Football: Hodgson hails ‘magnificent’ Owen

“Owen’s record of 89 England appearances and 40 goals is a magnificent landmark,” says Hodgson.

LONDON: England manager Roy Hodgson described Michael Owen’s goal-scoring record for his country as ‘magnificent’ after the striker announced his intention to retire at the end of the season. The 33-year-old Owen scored 40 goals in 89 appearances for England and won the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2001. “Owen’s record of 89 England appearances and 40 goals is a magnificent landmark,” said Hodgson. “Some of his international strikes were spectacular and have already gone down in England’s modern football history. I wish him all the best in the next part of his career and hope that he is able to pass some of his great experience back into the game.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2013.