I never get so joyful, regarding football, as when Rickie scores. I don't quite know why, but he brings out a similar emotion in me that MLT used to do. Matty used to do half a dozen bits of magic, per match, and get totally overlooked, unless he scored. It didn't matter if he pinged an inch perfect 60 yard pass or dribbled around one player twice, just because he could. He was only recognised properly if he scored another wonder goal, and that used to rankle with me so much, because we knew he was easily the most skillful UK player of his generation.
Rickie is under-appreciated because he still gets compared to bustling players like Holt, and now even Carroll. These are players who rely on their strength rather than their skill [yes, two good goals yesterday by Carroll]. Compared to them, Rickie has touch and finesse in bucketfuls. We know how good he is. Others, who should know better, still don't recognise it, and the evidence is so stark it's blinding. Give him a go, even if it is just the one cap. He wouldn't let England down.