The papers have referred to him as a HERO!
He has not scored a goal at a major tournament since June 21, 2004.
A scarcely believable eight years since his double against Croatia in Lisbon.
In 2006, he was sent off for stamping on Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho in Gelsenkirchen.
In 2008, he and England did not even take part.
In 2010, he was there in South Africa but, like the rest of the team, you wouldn’t have realised it.
He would then let down the fans who have always given him unconditional support with a throwaway remark to a TV camera about “It’s nice to see your own fans booing you” after the horrendous 0-0 draw with Algeria in Cape Town.
Here, at the Euros, he has missed the opening two games after his needless red card last October in the qualifier in Montenegro.
Is that really Hero material?