Klose has Muller's record in his sights
Two more goals at international level against Kazakhstan on Saturday has brought Miroslav Klose to within seven goals of the German record currently held at 68 by legendary striker Gerd Muller.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: March 27, 2011 05:03 PM IST
Two more goals at international level against Kazakhstan on Saturday has brought Miroslav Klose to within seven goals of the German record currently held at 68 by legendary striker Gerd Muller.
And the 32-year-old Polish-born marksman said after the 4-0 win that he was bent on catching and even passing the man known simply in his heyday as "The Bomber."
"Now that I am so close naturally I want to move past him," said Klose after winning his 107th cap in the Euro 2012 qualifier.
"I have already spoken to Gerd about it and he told me he wouldn't be angry with me if I take away his record.
"He even told me he would be happy for me. In any case he will always be The Bomber and no-one can take that away from him."
Muller's 68 goals were scored between 1967 and 1974 including the winner in the 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the 1974 World Cup final in Munich. That proved to be his last goal for the national side.
Klose has scored in his last six games for Germany and if he plays in the friendly against Australia on Tuesday he will move up alongside Jurgen Klinsmann as the second most capped player for Germany with 108 caps.
He doubts, however, that he will ever pass record cap holder Lothar Matthaus who played 150 times for his country.