Matt Hughes. Deputy Football Correspondent
Fabio Capello has thanked Slaven Bilic for giving England all the motivation they need to win tonight's World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
The Croatia coach has dismissed England as a “flawed” team still scarred by the 3-2 home defeat against his side that cost them a place at last year's European Championship and Capello is convinced that Bilic's criticism has made his job easier.
“I'm very grateful to Mr Bilic because I don't need to motivate my players for the match,” said the England manager, whose team will secure a place in South Africa with victory this evening. “Thank you Mr Bilic.
“He tried to provoke a reaction and it is the best. I have no need to motivate my players after this. It's fantastic assistance. My players are very determined, so thank you.”
BACKGROUND
* Croatia will pay for Bilic provocation, says Capello
* Terry unable to hide thirst for revenge
* Lennon has chance to solve midfield conundrum
* Bilic attempts a spot of damage limitation
BACKGROUND
* Beckham determined to be at World Cup finals
* Bilic reminds Lampard of 'Special One'
* Capello’s no-go blow for Defoe
* Capello must pick Defoe for Croatia, says Cascarino
Capello was particularly dismissive of Bilic's most recent assertions, that Croatia will target Wayne Rooney's suspect temperament and that England have lost some of their character and fighting spirit as a result of being managed by an Italian.
“I like the English spirit,” Capello said. “I saw this spirit in a lot of games we've played. It's impossible to win without spirit. We suffered sometimes during first halves and played better second halves, and it would have been impossible to do that without spirit.
“With me, Rooney, if I remember well, only once did he not make a good tackle. Only once. Afterwards he played always well. Provocation means nothing for Rooney.”
England are likely to make only one change to the team that beat Slovenia on Saturday, with Capello giving strong consideration to bringing in Aaron Lennon for Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right of midfied.
They will need only a draw to reach the finals if Ukraine fail to beat Belarus in Minsk this afternoon - that match kicks off two hours earlier - but John Terry insists that mere qualification should not be the cause for celebration and is confident that his team can take advantage of what could be a relatively thin field in South Africa next summer.
“Portugal and Argentina are struggling at the moment, like we were, so there might be some really big teams not at the World Cup,” the captain said. “We've experienced that feeling, seeing lads going away and tasting success and speaking to them about it. We want to get back enjoying that atmosphere of a major tournament.
“I spoke to Bally [Michael Ballack, his Chelsea team-mate] about it and the first thing he said in 2008 was that Germany's chances were greater because England weren't there.
“It's not a chance for us to celebrate, and it'll be relief more than anything if we manage to qualify.
“Look at our squad on paper. We've got the best league in the world that we always talk about and some of the best players in the world playing in the biggest competitions. We should be qualifying, simple as that.”
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