Goalkeeper Carson is a Scott who can reach Euro 2008 finals

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For a goalkeeper, he is a strong team player. He's not one to stick on the iPod and disappear off into his own world.

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Down to business: England's destiny is in Scott Carson's hands at Wembley tonight

We didn't see that much of him before a game, mind you. He's out very early for his warm-up and to prepare for kick-off. He enjoys working at his game and improving himself.

He's not insular, he's not a loner. He is comfortable being part of the banter, joining in with his team-mates.

Last season at Charlton, in the thick of a relegation battle, we all went shooting one day and he looked the part in the full attire, with a marked resemblance to Terry-Thomas.

As a goalkeeper, his kicking is excellent. He has a tremendous desire to win every match, his record of coming for crosses is very good and he is brave when making decisions.

It's a bold call to pitch him into a game of this magnitude, but he has the temperament and the character to deal with it.

I'm certain that Steve McClaren will have recognised that in the time he has been working with Scott.

There are areas of his game that need some work, but not many. His communication with his back four, for instance, is one area where he can improve, but that will come with more experience. He is 22.

As well as playing 29 games for the Under 21 team, he has coped with three loan moves, which proves he can adapt to new environments: the first team at Sheffield Wednesday, the first team at Charlton and now at Aston Villa.

What makes him stand out is that he is a goalkeeper who can be trusted. Those three-quarter shots that may bounce off another goalkeeper will be collected. You don't see many rebounds, he has safe hands, the ball sticks.

The fact that he is not No 1 at Liverpool and has played just a handful of games is insignificant. They already have a very good goalkeeper in Pepe Reina.

In that respect, he has been a little unlucky, but he hasn't let that get to him.

Not much gets to him, in fact. Which is why he will not let his country down.