Steve Bruce: Lorik Cana could play for any side

Nov 21 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

He said: “The one thing I will always say is that, in this country, we enjoy a physical encounter.

“The game on Wednesday night, Ireland v France, was not technically great but it was full blooded, bang on, and we’ve seen a typical British game.

“I knew coming here that I wanted a team to mirror what the North East is about. To get stuck in and be competitive, but it’s difficult how the laws are today.

“We don’t want a sport for pansies.”

Meanwhile, Bruce has described Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger as a genius even though he blames the Frenchman for jeopardising his managerial career.

When Wenger took charge of Arsenal in 1996 it led a steady procession of foreign managers into English football – and Bruce is adamant this was to the detriment of equally capable British bosses.

Unlike Wenger, many foreign imports have failed to live up to expectations, although Bruce insisted the Arsenal manager should be considered as one of the game’s all-time greats.

He said: “It used to be boring, boring Arsenal who won 1-0 to this guy now, to the detriment of the British manager, what he has done for this game, other chairmen have thought we need a foreign manager and follow him. He is a genius.

“As an Arsenal fan you want your team to win, but they are a fantastic team to watch, with great individual players, who are worth their entrance fee at any ground in the country.

“For me, when Arsenal come to town it is the big occasion, just like when United and Chelsea, Arsenal have always had that bit of class. I have the utmost respect, he is an absolute genius.

“He’s a fantastic at what he does. He has to be one of the greats, even though he might not have won that many trophies in recent years, to produce the players he has for the last 12,13 years is phenomenal.”