Ibrahimovic hails ‘fantastic’ Gerrard ahead of 100th England appearance

Ibrahimovic hails 'fantastic' Gerrard ahead of 100th England appearance

Nov 13, 2012 8:02:00 PM

The enigmatic Sweden striker praises the Three Lions captain, who is set to reach an international milestone when the two sides meet in a Stockholm friendly on Wednesday

Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic sees Steven Gerrard as unlike any other English player, with the Liverpool midfielder preparing to win his 100th England cap.

The forard will face the 32-year-old on his landmark appearance when Erik Hamren's men meet the Three Lions in a friendly in Stockholm on Wednesday evening.

And the Paris Saint-Germain attacker has praised Gerrard's loyalty towards his club side after he recently passed the 600-game mark for the Merseyside outfit.

"I think Steven Gerrard is a fantastic player," he told reporters. "He has been loyal to his club, he has won some big trophies with the club. He always plays at a high level when he is not injured.

"He is a very good person to have as a team-mate in your team. He always gives 200 per cent, is a good fighter and has good skills and a good touch with the ball also. He feels more like an international player rather than a normal English player.

"English players have big hearts, always fighting, very aggressive, but for me Gerrard feels more international. He has more skills than the normal player."

Sweden coach Hamren also hailed the Whiston-born midfielder and highlighted his fantastic ability to read the game and play long passes.

He enthused: "I really like him as a player. He has something extra. I'm sorry he has had some injuries which have maybe stopped his top level.

"But when he is not injured, he is a top player because of his skills to read the game and his skills to make the passes, especially the long ones. He has shown how good he is for England and his club."

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