NO ROONEY .. NO HIDING PLACE Southgate: Too many England players have hidden behind Wayne.. this is their chance to emerge from his shadow

GARETH SOUTHGATE claims that England players have taken the easy option and hidden behind Wayne Rooney in the past.

Now he is no longer there, Southgate has challenged them to step out of his shadow and become England’s new leaders. Former skipper Rooney ’ s shock retirement has left a gaping hole in Southgate’s squad when it comes to experience, pedigreeree and goals at the very highest level. But, rather than han fear how he is goingoing to fill it, the Three hree Lions boss is excited to see how t he ne x xt t ge n e ra t i ono n grasp the chance in front of them.m. Southgate said:d: “Wayne has been n somebody it may have been easy to hide behind – because he’s the one who has carried that burden. That’s been unfair on him.

“Now, everybody has the chance to take the mantle – it’s an opportunity.

“If we are gong to be an outstanding team, moving forward, then you need players who are going to step up in the big moments, step up in games.

“Every time they play for England, they have the chance to be involved in an iconic moment, in a historic performance. They have that choice every time they go on the field now.”

Southgate included uncapped trio Jordan Pickford, Harry Maguire and Nathaniel Chalobah in his squad announced yesterday to face Malta and Slovakia.

And he believes they join an England set-up already blessed with potential.

“I have brought guys into the squad this time,” he said.

“The Under- 21s could have been Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, John Stones, it is a young core any way, we are adding Nathaniel and Jordan to that.

“We also have an Under-21 squad with people such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who was excellent for Crystal Palace at the weekend.

“And then we have got this group of Under- 20 World Cup winners, so some of what happens is going to depend on opportunity.

“There are Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez playing for the Liverpool first team already this season.

“So, for me, it is exciting, we are seeing some technically gifted players come through.

“OK, they are going to need some experience around them, but also I want to give them their heads a bit and see what might be possible.”

Southgate confirmed that he is no rush to name a new captain, following Rooney’s retirement.

He handed the armband to Harry Kane for the last two games, against Scotland and France.

He added: “It’s important we spread the responsibility throughout the team. I go back to England when they won the rugby World Cup.

“Yes, Martin Johnson was the captain, but that could have been Lawrence Dallaglio, it could have been Will Greenwood, Matt Dawson.

“There were any number of players in that team who were strong personalities – and we need a team of strong personalities.”