Jack Taylor has backed Howard Webb to cope with the pressure of refereeing Sunday’s World Cup final and likened him to Pierluigi Collina.

Webb will become the first Englishman to referee the showpiece event since Wolverhampton-born Taylor, when he takes charge of the Dutch’s clash with Spain on Sunday.

Taylor officiated the 1974 final between West Germany and Holland and made history by becoming the first ever referee to give a penalty – or, as it proved, two – before the Germans went on to win 2-1

And the 80-year-old believes Rotherham’s Webb, 38, is the ideal choice.

Taylor, who has an OBE for services to football, said: “I’m not really surprised at his appointment at all because his three games have gone really well.

“When he didn’t get one of the quarter-final games I started to think it could be a possibility.

“I’m highly delighted for him. I’ve known Howard for a long time and rate him very highly.

“It’s the ultimate accolade as FIFA are saying he’s the best. He’s already refereed the Champions League final this year, so it’s been quite a few months.

“I remember in his early days in the Football League being very impressed with him and thinking he’s going to be the best referee.”

Taylor, who enjoyed a 33-year career which encompassed over 1,000 games, has compared Webb to the last refereeing great, Italian Collina.

He said: “My advice to him would be just ref the way you normally do, be positive. He’s as fit as a fiddle.

“Sometimes he looks like Pierluigi Collina – and that’s not just because he’s bald!

“He’s of the same ilk, he has that authority and has great communication with the players.

The 1974 final was a bad tempered affair with emotions still running high between the bitter rivals – Taylor giving the first penalty to Holland after just 80 seconds for a foul on Johan Cruyff.

He said: “There was a lot of bad feeling between those countries back then. This time I can see a bit more of a flowing game.

“Having watched Spain on Wednesday night you’d have to expect a positive game.

“The behaviour was exemplary and I sincerely hope the final goes the same way.”