Rio Ferdinand isn’t just aboard the hype train, he’s the bloody conductor.
You would do well to find any fan as excited as Ferdinand is for England’s World Cup semi-final with Croatia on Wednesday evening.
In the hours leading up to the game in Moscow, you’ll likely encounter anxious supporters who are anticipating a cagey encounter and would bite your hand off if offered a 1-0 victory right now.
Ferdinand is not in that group of fans.
The former England centre-half is a vision of confidence ahead of the Three Lions’ first World Cup semi-final in 28 years and he doesn’t expect Gareth Southgate’s side to encounter too much bother at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Speaking after France claimed the first spot in Sunday’s final with a 1-0 victory over Belgium, Ferdinand made a very bold prediction for the second semi-final.
“Yes!” Ferdinand answered emphatically when asked if he felt England would have enough to get past Croatia.
“By two or three goals,” Ferdinand added. “I’m ridiculously confident. I can’t believe it.”
While it’s altogether possible that Ferdinand is made to eat his words because Croatia have several players who can hurt England, nothing is going to shake the faith of the Manchester United legend.
