Rickie: It's been the best and worst
Rickie Lambert has admitted he has mixed emotions from his World Cup debut after labelling the Three Lions exit from Brazil as the worst moment of his career.
Liverpool's summer signing made his World Cup bow when he appeared as a late substitute during the 2-1 defeat to a Luis Suarez inspired Uruguay.
Lambert has now called on his international teammates to end the tournament on a high with a victory over Costa Rica in their final game on Tuesday.
Speaking to the FA.com, Lambert said: "It's a difficult scenario to be in, everyone's disappointed about what's happened and the fact that we've got one more game left.
"But we've got to be professional and we've got to give our best and get three points to finish on a high against Costa Rica.
"It's been the best experience of my career and probably the worst experience at the same time. It's always difficult being an England fan and getting knocked out, but this time being involved is devastating to get knocked out at an early stage.
"It was probably the worst moment of my career when the final whistle went and we were knocked out of the World Cup. It was horrible.
"Maybe I might look back in years to come and think 'I've played in a World Cup', that will live with me forever. But I can't remember any moments that are as bad as that.
"You can't knock anything. The preparation at every stage has been perfect, the atmosphere amongst the squad has been perfect.
"The performances were not bad, but it's the fine margins, which at top level football make all the difference, and they went against us twice."
Lambert also had words for the England supporters who have given the team great backing out in Brazil.
He added: "We need time to get over what's happened, that's the only thing that is going to help us get over it.
"It's easy to say we want to do it for the England fans, but we really do. The support we've had at the two games, even when we'd got knocked out, they were clapping us.
"We're only sorry, and devastated we couldn't give it to them this time around. Hopefully we can finish off with a good performance and three points."