ZAGREB, September 11 (World Cup Qualifying) - England hat-trick hero Theo Walcott emerged from Maksimir Stadium on Wednesday clutching the match ball after making history against Croatia - but he insists his feet will remain on the ground.
The 19-year-old's hat-trick meant a first defeat for Croatia in a competitive home game and it also raised England's hopes of reaching the 2010 World Cup.
Waiting for Walcott in England will be a hero's reception and heightened expectations, but the teenager said: "I'm not going to get ahead of myself. I know what people will be saying, but I will just ignore it all."
Wayne Rooney, who scored the other goal in the 4-1 win in Zagreb, led the tributes to Walcott, who was famously taken to the World Cup in 2006 but not used.
"He offers something a bit different. He is probably the quickest player I have seen," Rooney told Setanta.
"Sven-Goran Eriksson saw the talent in him in selecting him for the 2006 World Cup. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster for him the last two years."
Rooney also admitted, after two defeats to Croatia cost England a place at Euro 2008, that victory felt all the more sweeter.
"It was a bit of revenge. It was a great performance and a great result," he added.
"You always enjoy a 4-1 victory, especially after what Croatia did to us in the last qualifying campaign."
Walcott, who made his first England start at the weekend when he was selected against Andorra, typically played down his own contribution.
He added: "It wasn't just down to me, the whole team was brilliant and we showed to the fans and to all of England how strong we are.
"It's been a long 10 days but we've been together and we have improved.
"I didn't play with any fear. You just have to get out there and put them on the back foot. If you do that teams will drop off and then there is so much space."
Joe Cole received a blow to the head from Robert Kovac, earning the Croatia defender a red card, but the injury is not thought to be serious.
The only negative aspect to the evening was monkey chants being heard when Emile Heskey was booked. The Football Association are likely to make a complaint to FIFA after speaking to Heskey.
The Wigan striker said: "You have to let the people above deal with that and I'll carry on playing my game.
"They are ignorant people, you have to ignore it and enjoy your game. Their players weren't happy about it either."
Waiting for Walcott in England will be a hero's reception and heightened expectations, but the teenager said: "I'm not going to get ahead of myself. I know what people will be saying, but I will just ignore it all."
Wayne Rooney, who scored the other goal in the 4-1 win in Zagreb, led the tributes to Walcott, who was famously taken to the World Cup in 2006 but not used.
"He offers something a bit different. He is probably the quickest player I have seen," Rooney told Setanta.
"Sven-Goran Eriksson saw the talent in him in selecting him for the 2006 World Cup. It has been a bit of a rollercoaster for him the last two years."
Rooney also admitted, after two defeats to Croatia cost England a place at Euro 2008, that victory felt all the more sweeter.
"It was a bit of revenge. It was a great performance and a great result," he added.
"You always enjoy a 4-1 victory, especially after what Croatia did to us in the last qualifying campaign."
Walcott, who made his first England start at the weekend when he was selected against Andorra, typically played down his own contribution.
He added: "It wasn't just down to me, the whole team was brilliant and we showed to the fans and to all of England how strong we are.
"It's been a long 10 days but we've been together and we have improved.
"I didn't play with any fear. You just have to get out there and put them on the back foot. If you do that teams will drop off and then there is so much space."
Joe Cole received a blow to the head from Robert Kovac, earning the Croatia defender a red card, but the injury is not thought to be serious.
The only negative aspect to the evening was monkey chants being heard when Emile Heskey was booked. The Football Association are likely to make a complaint to FIFA after speaking to Heskey.
The Wigan striker said: "You have to let the people above deal with that and I'll carry on playing my game.
"They are ignorant people, you have to ignore it and enjoy your game. Their players weren't happy about it either."
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
World Cup favourites England have one gaping question left to answer
Rampant England reach Women's Euros final
.jpg&h=115&w=225&c=1&s=1)
