RIO ADMITS INDISCIPLINE

I wasn't picked for the senior team's World Cup qualifier against Italy in Rome so I went to play for the Under-21s in Rieti instead.

We were on a high after the game and, naturally, had a few drinks in the hotel bar before heading to a pizza place for a few more.

We went back to the hotel bar after and probably got a bit too rowdy.

Next day, the manager, Peter Taylor, was OK with it.

He told us that we could go round town and do some shopping as long as we were back at the hotel by 5 o'clock in time to go to the senior game.

His final words were, ‘Don't go in any bars'. It was good advice but it wasn't going to stop us going on the drink again.

Frank Lampard, my drinking buddy at the time, Jamie Carragher, Ben Thatcher, Danny Murphy and I led the way and most of the other lads came too.

We settled down in the corner of a bar at midday, ready for a right good session.

We never needed much excuse for a celebration at any time but we felt this was thoroughly justified.

The pints kept coming and no one bothered looking at their watches.

As the time approached for us to get the coach, I thought I'd run down to the shops. I had a look around but didn't buy anything and jogged back.

I didn't think I was p****d but I probably was and, as I walked up the stairs back to the bar, Taylor was in there going bonkers, reading the boys the riot act.

Taylor clocked me and I was done for. He ripped into me, Jamie and Ben.

He was going ‘You're a disgrace. You're never playing for England again, ever. You're going home now. You're not going to the game. Get your bags.'

It was only a month since I'd been done for drink-driving and banned from the England senior side by Glenn Hoddle. Not smart Rio, not smart at all.

I didn't feel I'd let the country down as Taylor had said. I'd let the manager down, yes, but not the whole of England.