BLACKBURN Rovers' braveheart Colin Hendry (pictured) today held his head high after the dust settled on his Auld enemy battle with Ewood Park pal Alan Shearer.

Broken-hearted Hendry saw Shearer put England ahead in the Battle of Britain before Paul Gascoigne sealed a famous Euro '96 victory with a Wembley wonder goal.

Said Hendry: "A lot of people say that because Alan scored I failed. But people watching the game know how I played.

"I didn't think the contest between me and Alan threw up too many surprises. It was fairly well mannered. There wasn't too much conflict. To be honest Alan hadn't done too much until his goal. But when you look at the scoresheet his name is on it and no Scotsman's is."

He added: "I think Scotland gave a good account of themselves. I think a lot of people were pleasantly surprised that we didn't just hump the ball up the park.

"Paul Gascoigne's goal was a great goal. But if I hadn't lost my footing I might have got something on it. Then he might not have been able to take it first time. When my foot went there was no way back."

Hendry points to Gary McAllister's penalty miss as the turning point. He added: "The penalty was a big blow for us. Maybe on another day, if things had gone our way, we might have said keep the shop tight."

Shearer grabbed his second goal of Euro 96 to leave England one step away from the European Championship quarter-finals.

"Gazza's goal was world class," said Shearer. "Everyone knows what he is capable of and he's proved it yet again.

"The victory over Scotland was a very special occasion. I scored my second goal in as many matches, and suddenly it feels great to be alive.

"To see the ball bulge in the back of the net was an exhilarating moment - I felt like jumping over the Twin Towers."

And on Shearer's Auld Enemy encounter with Ewood Park teammate Colin Hendry he said: "I had a running battle with Colin, but it was just what we expected.

"We both got booked, and that says everything about the commitment we put into the match. We didn't speak to each other much - although he did call me a dirty so-and-so when I was booked for a tackle on him.

"At the end we shook hands and remained friends - which is the way it should be."

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