SOUTHGATE HIRES SCOT AS ATTACK COACH
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate has drafted in the self-styled ‘world’s No 1 attacking coach’ … and he’s Scottish. It can be revealed that Southgate has appointed Allan Russell, 36, to his staff ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland in Glasgow. Russell describes himself as the ‘world’s No 1 individual attacking coach’ on his Twitter profile and has already added the England team to the client list on his website. He is working with England on an ad-hoc basis. Russell was involved in training drills with England’s Jermain Defoe, Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling at St George’s Park yesterday. On his website, Russell explains that he uses ‘intricate statistics combined with detailed match and training analysis to strategise a complete striker training programme’.
HE HAD a decent scoring record for Hamilton Academical and St Mirren, and was the 2008 Scottish Second Division Player of the Year — but now Allan Russell has been given the job of improving England’s Harry Kane, Jermain Defoe, Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy. Those four forwards, with 80 goals between them this season, are in the squad for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland and Glasgow-born Russell is now part of Gareth Southgate’s set-up. Russell, who advised Premier League champions Chelsea this season alongside Southgate’s No 2 Steve Holland, gave up his playing career to focus on making his business a success. And now he has been given an England call-up. He worked collectively with the England forwards for part of yesterday’s training but his remit extends to individual sessions with players. Russell, who also played for Mansfield and Forest Green before ending his career in the USA, claims he can advise players on the most productive areas to position themselves for shots on goal. When asked by Sky Sports about his work, Russell explained: ‘I assess them. As soon as they come in I know what’s wrong with the body mechanics, if their balance is right, if their technique is good enough, the discipline in their follow-through, how they are setting their finishes.’ It seems to be like a golf coach working on a swing. Russell added: ‘I can give them immediate feedback — is their standing foot far enough forward when they strike the ball? Are they stretching? Are they connecting with the right part of the ball? How are they rotating their hips?’ Russell’s Superior Striker programme is already being used by Premier League forwards Saido Berahino, Andre Gray, Ashley Fletcher and Aleksandar Mitrovic. It is thought his role with the FA extends to all age groups and the women’s team. He also worked with the seniors at their previous get-together in March.