Tottenham midfielder backed in to lead England at Euro 2012
Published:It has been one fiasco to another for the FA this week, and as the focus shifts to the search for a new manager, money has continued to flood in for Scott Parker leading the side out at Euro 2012, with that scenario backed in to a 2/1 quote.
Parker was as long as 16/1 when it was initially announced that John Terry had been stripped of the captaincy, but following more all-action displays at the heart of Tottenham’s midfield, many are behind the idea of the combative midfielder taking the armband for the Euro 2012 opener against France.
Steven Gerrard remains 5/6 favourite to succeed Terry, though much could depend on which manager is appointed to lead the side in the championships in Poland and Ukraine.
Ladbrokes have suspended betting on the next permanent England manager market, with punters still clambering to back Harry Redknapp even at the odds-on 2/7 he was last available at, following his clearance from tax evasion charges.
Redknapp is a massive fan of Parker, having signed him from West Ham in the summer and utilising him as a regular fixture in his side ever since, even handing him the Tottenham captaincy on several occasions despite the relative infancy of his time with the club.
There can be no doubt as to the leadership credentials of Parker, whose majestic performances of last season saw him named the Football Writer’s Player of the Year in a relegated side, and so his chances of obtaining the captaincy do not rely solely upon Redknapp’s appointment in the managerial role, though it would likely aid them.
Not even regularly considered for squad selection until the past year or so, it is a testament to Parker that he has managed to force his way into the side at 31 years old, and now finally holding down a regular starting spot, it wouldn’t be a great surprise to see him captain his country at Euro 2012.
