'I'm pleased for Theo'

Having witnessed Theo Walcott's display against Croatia, the former captain, David Beckham, recognises events in the World Cup qualifier as a changing of the guard. By Dominic Fifield.

David Beckham has conceded publicly for the first time that he can no longer consider himself anything other than a squad player within the England set-up and having witnessed Theo Walcott's display against Croatia, the former captain recognises events in the World Cup qualifier as a changing of the guard.

Walcott, wearing the No. 7 shirt Beckham made his own, became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for England as he ran riot against opponents ranked fifth in the world. The 19-year-old's style, all fleet-footed pace and trickery, is the polar opposite of Beckham's, yet Walcott has admitted to having idolised the LA Galaxy midfielder and it was the veteran, 14 years his senior, who replaced him late on in Zagreb to earn his 105th cap.

The role as an impact substitute could well prove Beckham's best route to swelling that haul under Fabio Capello. "I'm pleased for Theo and the team, and I am happy to be here with the squad, but I don't expect to play in every game any more," said the former captain.

"That's the way it is now. I was happy to get on in both games (Andorra and Croatia) and would have liked to have played more, but it's all about the team and the squad, and qualifying for the World Cup. I really don't care if I play or not. I'm just happy with the way they played and with the six points from the two games. The biggest thing is England winning and qualifying.

"Theo had proved himself before this game with Arsenal. The speed he has is incredible and I have never played with a faster player. It doesn't matter about his age. Of course you need experience, but we have that with other players and Theo has played in some big games for Arsenal. If he plays like that and scores like he did, as well as creating the chances he does, he will frighten opponents.

He'll put any defender to shame. He is a level-headed lad and won't get carried away. He's at the right club with the right manager and everyone knows Arsene Wenger looks after his players. I'd just tell him to enjoy it."

Beckham's career has encompassed 12 years with the national team. At 33 the midfielder retains his threat from dead-ball situations, though it is only upon his experience that England may choose to lean from now on. Walcott represents the future. England have lacked raw pace in recent times, though Capello first decided he would use Walcott against Croatia after attending their Euro 2008 quarterfinal against Turkey as a pundit for Italian television, and in which Slaven Bilic's full-backs appeared vulnerable.

On September 10 Danijel Pranjic and the left-sided centre-half Josip Simunic were exposed by Walcott's searing pace. The winger's second and third goals were scored when Croatia were depleted after Robert Kovac's dismissal, though this remained a staggering performance to reaffirm the teenager as the national team's biggest hope.

Wayne Rooney, whose excellent display earned him a first international goal in 11 months and saw him play a part in each of Walcott's goals, was the last bright young thing saddled with that pressure and he is anxious the teenager is not overburdened by expectations. "Many times players get made out to be the saviour of English football," Rooney, now 22, said. "From when he got into the World Cup squad two years ago without playing a Premier League game, so much was expected of him.

"He's had a couple of years now to get ready but we've got to keep working as a team and, hopefully, then we can help him. That would be great because he can help us win trophies.

"He gives a different dimension to the team with his pace out wide and it keeps the defenders on the back foot. I've not seen anyone as quick as him. He's something different to what we've had for the past four years because he's got frightening pace, likes to run behind defenders and keeps them on the back foot. That probably frees it up in the middle for players like myself and the other strikers to get opportunities.

"He's a nice lad, too. He's got his feet on the ground, speaks well and handles himself well."