Hargreaves planning to silence the boo-boys

BUHLERTAL, Germany, June 13 (Reuters) England midfielder Owen Hargreaves took a swipe at his critics today and vowed to settle his score with the fans who booed his World Cup Group B arrival against Paraguay.

Hargreaves, Canadian-born to an English father and a Welsh mother, has helped steer Bayern Munich to a series of titles including back-to-back Bundesliga and Cup doubles.

Yet despite his club success, he remains on the bench for England and his appearance as a late substitute in Saturday's 1-0 win was met by boos from a section of the fans.

''I've never really encountered that,'' the 25-year-old told a news conference today.

''Obviously, playing in Munich there's been nothing but positives. But I encounter that in the friendlies (with England) like when we played Hungary and Belarus.

''Obviously the situation would be easier if every time I came on, everybody cheered. But it's not the case.

''I can understand that. People don't see me. Those who do see me week, in week out, know what I can bring to a team.

''People who don't see me could be a bit sceptical ... and that's why sometimes I've got a bit of a smirk on my face -- because I'm very confident in myself that I can prove all those people wrong.

''I've proved people wrong in the past -- growing up where I did and moving to Munich at a young age, breaking into the first team and winning a spot in one of the bigest sides in Europe and becoming an England player.

''I don't think anyone expected that. I didn't really expect it myself, growing up.

CLEARING HURDLES ''But I've gone over every hurdle I've come across and... the England fans haven't seen the best of me yet. That will come with the opportunities.'' Those could be few and far between as Steven Gerrard and attack-minded Frank Lampard are seen as untouchable by coach Sven-Goran Eriksson in central midfield.

Though he beat the competition on Saturday, Jamie Carragher and Michael Carrick are further rivals should Eriksson decide to remove Lampard and stiffen his defence with a sitting midfielder.

Confident with his achievements, Hargreaves is unfazed by the competition or the critics.

''I don't think I have to prove anything,'' he said. ''I've achieved a lot in my young 25 years. I've won the Champions League and already have 12 titles in Germany.'' REUTERS PDS ND2138