Heskey defies doubters with distinguished leading role

In Belarus, the land of the European Bison, England had their own big beasts. Fired up, the home supporters cheered four of the opposition players as their names were read out: Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. For them, of course, the circus was in town. There was barely a murmur when Emile Heskey's name, on his 50th appearance, was announced.

Not that Heskey usually inspires indifference. His name is almost spat out by some when linked to playing for his country. Just look at his goal record, look at his injury record, look at his hang-dog expression. For pity's sake, look at the chances he misses (and there were more of those last night, by the way).

But not any more is he vilified. Maybe it would always take the pronouncements of a manager such as Fabio Capello – rather than a Gérard Houllier, Sven Goran Eriksson or, at Wigan Athletic, his club, Steve Bruce – to convince us of Heskey's worth. If Capello sees it, then surely others have been missing it, although it may also have much to do with the player's growing maturity.

Having searched for a central striker, having hoped that Dean Ashton may emerge, Rooney may adapt or, jokingly, that Fernando Torres' nationality could be altered, Capello turned to Heskey and in his raw, bovine strength, his willingness to run, run and run again and the intimidation he dishes out to defenders plying their trade in intimidating venues such as last night's, or, even more so, the Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb last month, Capello struck upon something precious to his plans. No one can doubt Capello's admiration for Heskey or his importance to this team. With young tyros such as Rooney and Theo Walcott, still a boy really, either side of him the 30-year-old provides the role of minder and strong man in the way that he helped nurture Michael Owen's international career. He now appears, after his spell out in the wilderness, set to outlast Owen in England colours which would have been unthinkable not so long ago.

But players prove their worth in different ways. Just as Gary Lineker always wanted Peter Beardsley, just as Alan Shearer linked with Teddy Sheringham, so Rooney hails the importance of Heskey. He may not have the skills of Beardsley or Sheringham but Heskey helps to make others play, he provides shape and balance and focus.

It was all there against the Belarusians. In the first half Heskey ran down and harried, won headers and tackles, chased back and then, with one piece of relentless skill and determination, provided an opportunity which Rooney headed into the side-netting when he should have scored.

But then Heskey should, also, have done better when cleverly pulling away at the near post to meet Frank Lampard's corner. Instead he headed wide. At that moment it was his wretched goal record that was again at the forefront of everyone's minds.

They say – and strikers themselves parrot it – that they are judged by their goals. But they're not. Not by coaches and managers, not in a modern game when the latest thoughts are that the most important attackers in a team are the full-backs because they have the greatest freedom, the most space. It's workers such as Heskey who help create that space by drawing in defenders and occupying areas that allow others to be exploited. And, by the way, England have scored two, four, five and now three goals in four qualifiers, which is impressive enough.

And then Heskey's true worth was evident. Just as England, having pushed away through Steven Gerrard's wonderful goal, to be pegged back and then look a little ragged, needed something he provided it. It was speed of thought as much as anything as he forced Wayne Bridge to aim his throw-in at him and bore down the left, outmuscling a defender, keeping his balance and delaying, as he needed to, just enough to allow Rooney to run to the near post and score.

But then Heskey didn't so much as cross for his strike partner as all but put the ball in for him. It was like a wall-pass off Rooney's shins and the 22-year-old had his third goal for England in two games. Then something else remarkable happened. The England supporters didn't just celebrate the goal, they celebrated the provider. "There's only one Emile Heskey," they chanted and that chant wasn't meant in any bitter irony, any cruel intent. But then Heskey wasn't England's only big beast last night.

Rooney's confidence was soaring again. He scored a second while Lampard produced the kind of brilliantly disciplined display that confirmed what one of Capello's lieutenants said to him last week: he's in the form of his life. Lampard too has been much maligned. And like Heskey it has been with some justification. But no more, which in itself, and with a perfect record so far in England's quest to reach the next World Cup, is evidence of Capello's compelling work.

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