By PAUL SMITH
JOHN TERRY has vowed never to turn his back on England and insists he has no issue playing with anyone if Roy Hodgson selects him to play.
In an explosive SunSport interview, Terry finally breaks his silence on:
• England, the captaincy, Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson and Harry Redknapp.
• His infamous red card in Barcelona.
• His hopes of lifting the FA Cup for a record fourth time with one club.
Rumours were rife Terry was ready to quit the national team after FA chiefs stripped him of the captaincy for the second time.
Their decision led to the controversial exit of manager Fabio Capello on a point of principle after they failed to consult him.
But Terry said: “I’m not going to throw away my international career for anyone, I am proud to represent my country, I will never turn my back on England.
“I was baffled by these rumours about me quitting. I even had players coming up saying they heard I was going to quit.
“But I never considered quitting. I was deeply disappointed by the FA’s decision to strip me of the captaincy as it meant the world to me.
“But sometimes you just have to accept these things and move on.” Prior to the FA informing Terry he was being axed as skipper he received unequivocal support from Capello.
And after the decision was taken by the FA Capello resigned on a point of principle.
Terry said: “I was extremely disappointed the manager decided to quit.
“From day one he stood by me and said he knew the English law and the English way and you are innocent until proven guilty and I respected him for that.
“Clearly he didn’t agree with the FA and had his own personal reasons for standing down.”
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp was immediately installed as the bookies favourite to succeed Capello.
Fans, players and his fellow managers threw their weight behind him.
But last Sunday it emerged the FA had only approached West Brom’s Roy Hodgson and barely 72 hours later appointed him.
And Terry said: “I always thought Roy Hodgson was a genuine candidate and I was surprised no one really mentioned him.
“Clearly all the hype was for Harry Redknapp but the FA have taken their time to appoint the right man to lead us to success and I think this is a great appointment.
“I spoke to Bobby Zamora who worked with him at Fulham and he always spoke highly about Roy. And the Liverpool lads have also publicly supported him.”
One of the major issues raised when Hodgson was finally unveiled by the FA on Tuesday was partnering Terry with Rio Ferdinand, amid rumours the pair were at odds over Ferdinand’s brother Anton.
Hodgson said his priority was to speak to both players ahead of selecting his first squad.
But Terry insists there has never been an issue of his making.
He added: “I don’t have an issue playing with anyone and never have done. I don’t pick and choose who plays for England and if I’m selected to play it won’t become an issue either.”
More recently, though, it is the red card Terry got in Barcelona that has been the biggest topic of debate.
Despite issuing an apology to the Chelsea manager, players and fans for being sent off Terry has not spoken about the incident until now.
He said: “I had a tussle with Sanchez in the first leg and he went off for a few minutes early in the first half when he ran into me.
“His movement was good and he nearly got in a few times. But he went into my ribs a few times so he clearly knew about my injury.
“That said, it was my fault. I put my hands up after the game and offered everyone involved an apology. It’s not in my character to do that and not in a game of that magnitude. I’m a fair player, I’m a strong player and I do like a tackle but that’s not me.
“I was more disappointed that I gave the referee and the linesman the opportunity to put the team and club in that situation.
“Clearly the result helped me but if the lads had gone out I’m not sure I could explain how I’d have felt.
“I think I was probably fortunate in a way because I didn’t have to deal with the consequences of that.
“Given how emotional I was when I missed that penalty in the final against Manchester United it’s not something I want to think about.
“Obviously a couple of days after I had to deal with the heartbreak and disappointment personally but sometimes things are not supposed to happen and maybe I was never meant to play in this final.
“To be honest I feel far more sorry for the lads missing out over receiving yellow cards. I think it’s a bit harsh to miss a final after collecting three cards in about 14 games.
“I feel far more compassion for those players than worrying about feeling sorry for myself.
“All I hope is if there is any justice and given the bad luck we have had in the Champions League over the years, that we go on to win it.
“That would be a fantastic achievement and one the players, supporters and owner deserve.” In the event they do win it, Terry has confirmed he will lift the trophy alongside vice-captain Frank Lampard.
The skipper said: “I was touched by what Frank and Didier Drogba said after we qualified. But when we won the Double under Carlo Ancelotti I insisted that Frank lifted the trophies with me.
“I said then we were creating history and he should be part of that.”
For Terry today’s FA Cup final clash takes on greater importance particularly as he would become the first player in history to lift the FA Cup for a fourth time for one club.
He added: “It’s a massive competition for me regardless of the circumstances. As a kid I grew up dreaming of lifting the FA Cup and I can honestly say the last one you win is just as good as the first. You never get bored of lifting the FA Cup.
“The fact I would create history is obviously something very special but probably something I will look back on in time. You tend to appreciate personal and collective success more when you have finished playing.
“I just think the midweek defeat against Newcastle might serve as a good kick up our backside. We had lost one game in 16 games prior to that and there is good cause to say you can become complacent.”
