LET’S give credit where credit is due… when the spotlight shone bright on John Terry last night he stood up to be counted, big-style.

Defensively, there was much to admire from England yesterday afternoon as they manoeuvred past Slovenia to finish a disappointing second in Group C – not least from the former skipper, who produced an inspired performance.

Matt Upson. Gareth Barry, heck, even Glen Johnson showed their steely side as the Three Lions bared their teeth when faced with the threat of elimination from the World Cup, a thought practically unthinkable before a Jabulani was kicked on June 11.

But it was the former skipper who really came to the fore, redeeming himself in most people ‘s eye – at least in a footballing sense – with a resolute performance of Herculean proportions.

I still disagree with the Chelsea defender’s misguided decision to go public with his views on the eve of this monumental game, nor with his rather flimsy apology for doing so.

Call him naive or not but they could potentially have had a fatal affect on England’s chances. And it would have been interesting to see what decision Fabio Capello would have made of his words had they not arrived in the midst of a major tournament.

Regardless of all that went before, I’d still like to shake Terry by the hand if he manages to put his body on the line in a similar manner over the next few weeks, particularly as he managed to attempt the lowest diving header known in human history in a bid to clear one Slovenia cross in the second half.

And so it means another World Cup meeting with the old foes Germany, who have looked neat and tidy throughout the group stages for all but the time they were reduced to 10 men against Serbia.

Mesut Ozil and Co have played some nice stuff but have looked susceptible on the break… if only England could get that side of their game in full flow.

We should have been looking at a free pass to the semis, but then that’s the English way and so the agony will continue on Sunday.