OUR LACK OF EXPERIENCE COST US IN EUROS FINAL

A LACK of experience could have been what wrecked England’s Euro dream, Raheem Sterling believes.

He is confident the squad are still learning and improving under Gareth Southgate, but some in the team have not played in the biggest games and that could have been a crucial aspect of the shootout defeat by Italy in the final.

“There are so many reasons why you might not win,” said the Manchester City forward. “Maybe the lack of experience of being in those high-pressure situations by a lot of the boys. I don’t want to say it in a way that comes across like we crumbled. “It was probably just a different experience for a lot of us. It’s learning experiences. Reaching the semi-finals of a World Cup, the final of a Euros.

“Every time we can try and build and improve and I do genuinely believe that every time we meet up we are improving and the consistency since the manager did come in, you can see small steps that we are taking.

“We just have to stay consistent.”

Sterling told how he has taken a deliberate “step back” from talking about racism and was more concerned about the wellbeing of his team-mates who missed penalties.

He says Southgate’s ability to break down the barriers between the players and the media has been crucial in England’s revival.

Sterling (above, with Southgate during half-time of extra-time in the final) added: “There is a great unity in the team. And I keep saying that since Gareth came in he’s made the camp so enjoyable.

“Before, it was a sense of fear when the players used to come. It was the media against players. That’s how a lot of the players felt.

“Since Gareth has come in he’s really made the camp relaxed. I’ll never forget he did a thing where the press came in, all the players were there and it was just an easy environment to be in. I didn’t feel like it was them against us.

“That has been the biggest issue with the national team for many years. That relationship between the players and the media. We’ve broken that now. It’s enjoyable coming here now.

‘‘Seeing people from the press. Speaking to them.

“It doesn’t feel like there is anybody out to get you.”