Queiroz questions Ronaldo reliance

Former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz believes his old team are over-dependent on star player Cristiano Ronaldo at Euro 2012.

Ronaldo, 27, powered Portugal to a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Sunday, netting both goals in his best performance to date at the competition.

And as Portugal prepare for their quarter-final clash against Czech Republic on Thursday, Queiroz has questioned their reliance on the Real Madrid star.

“Portugal have a national team called Cristiano Ronaldo and a group of players who run after him,” Queiroz told TVI24.

“The approach should be different: Ronaldo being only an asset to the team.

“A few years ago, the national team reflected Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Paulo Sousa and Fernando Couto.

“When they retired, it became centred on Ronaldo. This excessive importance makes it that when he plays badly, the criticism is all targeted at him.”

Queiroz, who took charge of the Iran national team in April 2011, was sacked by the Portuguese Football Federation in September 2010.