Holden- Coyle will be supporting States

Last updated : 11 June 2010 By Team Talk

Earlier this week US coach Bob Bradley revealed he had been invited to Manchester United's training ground by Sir Alex Ferguson and picked up some helpful hints on beating the Three Lions.

Now it seems fellow Scot Coyle is happy to cheer for England's opponents as well.

Already Coyle has been in touch with Bolton winger Holden to offer his best wishes. And Holden has no doubt who his manager will be backing tomorrow.

"Owen Coyle likes to keep the mood light in the locker room and he actually joked about this game," said Holden.

"He said he couldn't wait to watch the match and would be rooting for the USA.

"Since we have been in South Africa he has sent me another text and wished me all the best. I am sure there will be a lot of Scottish fans like that."

Born in Aberdeen, where he lived until he was 10, Holden knows all about the Anglo-Scottish rivalry.

But three months ago he was wondering whether he would even get a chance to make Coyle's wish come true after suffering a broken leg on international duty against Holland.

Manchester City's Nigel de Jong was the perpetrator of the tackle that caused such damage, an incident that looks no better with repeated viewing.

"I didn't know how bad the tackle was until I saw it again on the replay," said Holden.

"De Jong has said he didn't do it on purpose and I don't believe it was intentional. But it was reckless.

"When I found out it was fractured, I was pretty down in the dumps for a couple of days.

"But once the medics told me it was going to be a seven week recovery period, I just set my focus on doing everything I could to reach the World Cup."

Holden was heartened by Coyle's declaration that he will remain at the Reebok Stadium next season and further talks are planned to sort out a contract once the USA's World Cup campaign is over.

"Both sides have made it clear we want to extend the agreement but it's on the backburner while the World Cup goes on," he said.

"The day after I got hurt, the manager called me and told me they were going to pick up the option for the next year which is a no-brainer for me.

"I love it at the club and the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world."

Even though he has only been plying his trade in England for a short time, Holden is acutely aware of the threat Wayne Rooney represents to the United States.

Alexi Lalas has already urged his fellow countrymen to use every tactic possible to try and wind the Manchester United man up, a move that could pay dividends judging by Rooney's mood in Monday's victory over the Platinum Stars.

But Holden is not sure the USA will go down that road. And he is not convinced Rooney would fall for it anyway.

"That is not something we focus on," he said.

"You have to look at beating the whole unit, not just certain players. They have threats other than Rooney.

"For everything that has been written about his lately, Rooney is a world class player, who leaves everything on the field in every game. That is a testament to the player he is.

"He is so competitive and wants to win so badly that sometimes loses his temper a bit.

"But that is part of football. There are other top players with the same sort of passion who do exactly the same thing."

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk