Shearer Speaks SOMETIMES Alan Shearer must wonder what more he could do to make a traditionally sceptical English footballing public realise that he is one of the truly great strikers of his generation. Shearer scored his 300th career goal in Newcastle's end-of-season victory over Arsenal. Virtually all of these goals were gained at the highest level - not for Shearer the comfort of two or three years in the Third Division. His 57 internationals have reaped 28 goals and, while some of these were scored against lesser opposition, Shearer's record stands comparison against any striker in Europe. He has a maximum of nine more internationals, starting against Brazil today, before he leaves the England stage. Perhaps Shearer could have done better in European club football, but his chances have been few and far between because of the sides he has played for. The case for Shearer would point out that, since he has been with Newcastle, he has not enjoyed the sort of service from the wings that other strikers have. The goals, however, continue to flow. Last autumn Shearer was virtually written off in some quarters but, 30 goals later, he has completed another season of which any striker would be proud - and in a side who struggled for long periods. It is likely that Shearer will only be truly appreciated when he steps down from the international scene to spend more time with his family. Signs that this will be the case came when a level of praise he had rarely enjoyed was showered upon him after he announced he was quitting international football. "That was nice," said Shearer in his usual understated way. "I had letters from all over the country. I don't think I got any letters from Manchester, though." So how would Shearer like to be remembered when he hangs up his international boots? "By lifting Euro 2000," he said as if there could be any other answer. When pressed further, he added: "I have always given my best. Always. No one can ever point a finger at me and say I did not try. "Sometimes my best has been good enough, sometimes not. But I have always given everything." Maybe it was because his international career is drawing to a close but yesterday Shearer was relaxed, smiling, laughing and being far from boring. "I've had the **** taken out of me this week," he said. "And there's more to come I'm sure. "Footballers are not the type to turn round and say you should do this or that. There's been a bit about the 29-year-old coming up 30 with the hair of a 35-year-old. I'm used to it." Management beckons but, unfortunately for the gathered media at England's Burnham Beeches headquarters, Shearer would not say he wanted to manage the national team. "Newcastle first," said someone, which brought Shearer's biggest smile of the day, maybe even of the season. The joking over - not a phrase readily associated with the Steve Davis of football - Shearer put on his serious hat. "Brazil are the best in my opinion," he said. "It's a test to see how far we've come and how far we have to go." After Brazil come Ukraine and Malta before Portugal in Euro 2000, a tournament Shearer thinks England can win. "I am hoping the best is yet to come. Success is not coming second or getting knocked out on penalties. "I really do believe we have a very good chance of winning it. I believed that going into Euro 96 and France 98. There's no point if we don't believe we can win. "We have the ability, we have the players, the confidence is high. I think Lady Luck has deserted us on a couple of occasions but talk is cheap. We've got to prove we're good enough by winning it." Shearer's partnership with Michael Owen is renewed against Brazil and the pair are favourites to open Euro 2000 even though they have scored only three goals in seven international starts since the 1998 World Cup. "There have been times we have looked very good, at other times not so good. "We've worked on things over the past few days. Maybe there's a small problem that we both want to be in the box in the same place. "There's no great harm in us both wanting to score goals but we have to realise there is a bit extra to do other than scoring. Perhaps we have to do things slightly different to club level." So would Emile Heskey be a better partner? "I never said that. Emile and I worked well against Argentina. We both worked the channels well. He got past people and caused problems." Owen or Heskey? Little or large? A big man to take the workload off Shearer? "It can be different at international level," said Shearer, the diplomat. "There is more direct football in the Premiership. At international level the build up is slower." Back