Downing: Kenny given me confidence
Stewart Downing claims Kenny Dalglish has given him the confidence to become an England hero.
By his own admission, the winger has had an up and down England career, but he is now aiming to follow former Aston Villa teammate Ashley Young in becoming a regular for Fabio Capello.
Like Young at Manchester United, Downing has been on top form since swapping clubs in the summer - and our new No.19 has doffed his 27 caps at the part played by Dalglish.
"I certainly feel more confident as a player," said Downing ahead of England's clash with Bulgaria. "The team at Liverpool are playing well and I'm happy with my form at the minute. The fact the manager put a lot of faith in me, spending that amount of money, does give me a lot of confidence.
"He's quite a man-manager, always hands on and speaking to you. He knows how to play and he's given me a lot of confidence as a player - and when players are playing with confidence they tend to play quite well.
"As soon as I went to Liverpool I felt settled at a great club.
"Playing in a big squad, fighting for my place every week, will bring the best out of me."
Downing added: "Ashley has seen people competing with him for a place in the team and he's grabbing it with both hands, which we all have to do when given the chance."
"His progress does act as an inspiration, and not only for me. We all have to be ready when called upon by Fabio.
"I've got myself back in the squad but I don't just want to be making up the numbers. I want to be playing. There's a big championship at the end of the summer. To get in that squad will be difficult, because there are a lot of players playing for places, a lot of wingers. So I've got to be on form and playing well."
Downing started Capello's first competitive game in charge of England against Andorra but competition from James Milner and Adam Johnson meant opportunities were limited thereafter.
"It's been up and down, I'm not hiding that," he said. "I had a run of games under Steve McClaren and was then in and out.
"The thing for me is that I have been in and out but of late I've been in the squad and involved in games. I think it's a big season for me. I want to play well, get in that 11 and be in the squad.
"I started Capello's first qualifier. I thought I did well in some games. In others not so well, and I've got to be honest and say that.
"I don't worry about other things. I need to play well and not worry about the past. I'll be happy if I can get into the team and stay there."