McClaren miss Crouch
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England boss Steve McClaren admits he missed Peter Crouch's stunning winner against Macedonia last night.
The long-legged Liverpool striker hit a sensational 46th-minute overhead kick to earn England a Euro 2008 qualifying victory in Macedonia - but Macca missed it.
The England boss said: "Peter has a phenomenal goals record for England and he took this one really well - even though I missed it.
"I'd just finished my half-time team talk and was still in the dressing room having a little think about the second half.
"I've done it a few times in the past and it's worked again for me tonight.
"But I saw the goal on a TV monitor by the dugout and it was a very good strike.
"Peter is proving himself to be a real threat.
"He leads the line and he's an opportunist around the box.
"He took a lot of stick from their defenders and didn't get any decisions from the ref.
"But he stuck to the task and got his reward."
Crouch's goal leaves England top of Group E with two wins from two.
The 6ft 7in Liverpool hitman and his strike partner Jermain Defoe were given a tough time by Macedonia's defence.
Crouch admitted: "It was frustrating at times when the ref is like that. But you have to cope.
"He was picky but we handled that and the atmosphere well."
McClaren also hailed skipper John Terry's lion-hearted display.
The coach said: "He was absolutely immense, as he had to be. He leads by example and his partnership with Rio Ferdinand is terrific.
"It was exactly as we expected - a big test away from home against a very tough team. But we've come through it."
The long-legged Liverpool striker hit a sensational 46th-minute overhead kick to earn England a Euro 2008 qualifying victory in Macedonia - but Macca missed it.
The England boss said: "Peter has a phenomenal goals record for England and he took this one really well - even though I missed it.
"I'd just finished my half-time team talk and was still in the dressing room having a little think about the second half.
"I've done it a few times in the past and it's worked again for me tonight.
"But I saw the goal on a TV monitor by the dugout and it was a very good strike.
"Peter is proving himself to be a real threat.
"He leads the line and he's an opportunist around the box.
"He took a lot of stick from their defenders and didn't get any decisions from the ref.
"But he stuck to the task and got his reward."
Crouch's goal leaves England top of Group E with two wins from two.
The 6ft 7in Liverpool hitman and his strike partner Jermain Defoe were given a tough time by Macedonia's defence.
Crouch admitted: "It was frustrating at times when the ref is like that. But you have to cope.
"He was picky but we handled that and the atmosphere well."
McClaren also hailed skipper John Terry's lion-hearted display.
The coach said: "He was absolutely immense, as he had to be. He leads by example and his partnership with Rio Ferdinand is terrific.
"It was exactly as we expected - a big test away from home against a very tough team. But we've come through it."
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