Rosy Parker ... Scott cleans up for England

Rosy Parker has spent most of his career watching England on television.

And for a man who has been loved by supporters at pretty much every club he has played, it remains baffling that last night was only his ninth cap in eight years.

Parker turns 31 on Thursday but as the midfielder admitted before the match, he feels like one of the youngsters in the group due to his inexperience at this level.

But with qualification to Poland and Ukraine assured, there is no doubt Parker is becoming a key player within this group.

He is one of the first names on Fabio Capello's team sheet.

Not until last season, when he was the star of a sinking ship at West Ham, has Parker received the credit nationally he has so deserved.

And now, he is playing with confidence for England — and his partnership with Gareth Barry is one which works.

Providing he returns to action before the end of the season, Jack Wilshere will have something to say about who plays in the middle next summer.

Yet last night Parker and Barry generally gave good protection to the defence. Equally, this allowed England's more offensive players — particularly Ashley Young — the freedom to attack.

As the rain lashed down in the Balkans, this was Parker's type of match. The tackles — and in some cases the elbows — were flying around but Tottenham's midfield general soaked up the pressure.

Unlike many other players at this level, at least when he gets whacked — as he did a few times — Parker just dusts himself off and gets on with the job.

And then takes his revenge with a hard tackle about two minutes later.

In a few testing periods against Montenegro last night Parker had to keep his nerve, particularly as everyone kept losing their footing.

In previous international tournaments, many of England's key midfielders — along with the rest of the team — have frozen with fear.

They have looked frightened of their own shadows.

Yet you get the impression that Parker will not be making the same mistake.

Moving to Spurs, a club who will do well this season, was certainly the right move for a man who has now played for four London teams after stints at Charlton and Chelsea.

Parker needs more games for England, though.

Hopefully, Capello will stick with him for both the expected international friendlies next month without experimenting too much.

He may not be the greatest passer of the ball but every team needs a player like him.

And unless Capello completely loses his senses, Parker should be lining up for England's first game at Euro 2012.