Rose eyes Samba scalp for Team GB

Even the feats of the great Olympians of the age can inspire a young man whose future lies in the lucrative bubble of professional football.

As a youngster growing up, Danny Rose sat in front of the television to watch the great sprinters of the Atlanta, Sydney and Athens Games.

“I’m a big fan of the running events. I always remember Michael Johnson who was amazing at the 200m and 400m, and there was Maurice Greene who was just so quick at the 100m,” said the 22-year-old.

“I remember when Kelly Holmes won gold, and I just remember the look on her face after she won the 800m.

“She just couldn’t believe she’d won, and I can always remember that. I’m just looking forward to being part of it.”

Rose is a member of the first Great Britain’s men’s football team to take to the Olympic field in 52 years.

The Doncaster-born Tottenham Hotspur full-back is one of two Yorkshiremen, alongside Leeds-raised Micah Richards.

Richards won the Premier League title for Manchester City in May, and his recent claim that he took himself out of the equation for a reserve place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Euro 2012 may have raised a few eyebrows.

But in an Olympic sport where, commonly, a gold medal is not prized as highly as league or major international medals, it was a refreshing statement.

For Rose, who learnt the game in the renowned Leeds United academy, earning selection as part of the predominently Under 23’s squad, was a dream come true.

“I was over the moon when I found out I was in the squad,” he said. “It was my birthday, and obviously my friends and family had gone to great effort to get me a few bits and bobs for me, but being told you’re going to be in the Olympics was the best birthday present I could have wished for.

“All my family was over the moon, people from throughout the town where I grew up in Doncaster were over the moon as well.

“From a personal perspective it was the best thing I could have ever wished for.

“When you first heard that the squad was being picked from 300 players or something, it’s almost like X-Factor. It was mad, I was just happy to be in that group and never thought I’d be here.

“Now I’m here I don’t just want to be happy to be here, I want to do the best I can do to come back with a medal, and I hope it’s going to be gold.

“Silver or bronze would be a great achievement given the standard of the teams here, you look at the likes of Spain and Brazil, but I definitely want to come home with a medal.”

Stuart Pearce’s side kick-off their Olympic campaign against Senegal at Old Trafford on Thursday week.

They also play the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay at Wembley and the Millennium Stadium, respectively, in the group stage.

Tickets to watch the men’s football team were almost as prized as the blue riband athletics finals in the Olympic ballot.

But a rare opportunity to see Team GB warm-up against the Olympic team to represent the storied footballing nation of Brazil is on offer this Friday night at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.

“Middlesbrough is not too far from where I’m from so I would imagine most of my family and all my friends will make the journey and come and support the whole team,” said Rose.

“It’s going to be a great game, I’ve heard a lot about Neymar and I’ve seen his clips on YouTube, now I’m going to have the chance to play against him it’s going to be awesome.

“One of my club team-mates plays for Brazil in Sandro, it’s going to be great to see him too. When it gets closer to the game I’m sure I’ll drop him a text.

“When the Brazilians play they seem to have no pressure on them, they’re relaxed on the ball, but when you look back on the teams they have had they are so exciting to watch so I’m looking forward to playing against them.

“All the Brazil teams are exciting and this one is no different, with Neymar, Hulk and Oscar we’re going to have our work cut out.

“I remember Juninho when I was only a little boy, and obviously Middlesbrough have had some good Brazilians over the years.

“I’m sure the ground will be full of fans for such a special game. It’s a great fixture to look forward to, and hopefully we can get a result and take that confidence into our first game with Senegal.”

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Jason Steele, 21, will also be on show in front of his home crowd on Friday night.

The last tickets to see Team GB take on Brazil at the Riverside, Friday, July 20, are available online at www.MFC.co.uk or by phone 0844 499 1234.