Twelve years ago David Beckham stepped up to fire in the injury-time free-kick which sent England to the World Cup finals.
Leighton Baines would relish the chance to emulate his idol in such dramatic circumstances tonight — although he knows his first battle would be convincing England’s other dead-ball specialists that he should take the kick.
The Everton left-back is renowned for his ability from set-pieces — as are team-mates Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard — and even studied Beckham’s technique when he was younger.
The former England captain’s crowning moment came in 2001 when with his side trailing 2-1 to Greece at home in their last World Cup qualifier — which would have meant dropping into the play-offs — Beckham curled the ball into the top corner in the last minute from 25 yards out.
“With what’s at stake in the game tonight, I would always be willing to step forward and take one in that situation,” said Baines, who scored two stunning free-kicks against West Ham last month.
“We have a number of players in the queue like Steven, Wayne and Frank. There is a real variety but I’d stake my case for it if I feel it’s in an area where I can produce something and I have a lot of belief in my ability from free-kicks.
“Imitating Beckham was not something I set out to do when growing up but subconsciously you take images in when you watch players like him on TV.
“Beckham was the star and it’s inevitable you pick up on that. But you develop your own style, though what he did stays with me.”
