GET USED TO THE CRITICS, THEY’RE NOT GOING AWAY

JOHN CROSS

GARETH SOUTHGATE has warned his players they had better get used to criticism – because it is never going to stop.

England defender Harry Maguire was branded a “disgrace” by ITV pundit Roy Keane (below) for cupping his hands to his ears in a goal celebration at his critics after a recent dip in form (top).

Southgate has been a player, TV pundit and manager, and says he can handle stick – but that it will only get harsher as the years go by.

The Three Lions boss said: “It really depends on what you need to do to stay in work.

“Some channels or forums require headlines, some channels or forums require a certain type of approach – everything is different.

“So I understand that. Just to stay relevant in some of those fields you’ve got to say things that are more quotable and, of course, everything is lifted now and used from the live broadcasts for the next day’s headlines.

“Everybody in those shows knows that’s how it works and it fulfils a different part of our industry. I think that that’s where we’re at.

“As a manager, I get it and so be it. But I’m sure for the players, maybe they might feel differently, they’re younger.

“They’re less experienced in all of those different fields than perhaps I’ve become. They’re probably thinking that there are players who surely remember how difficult it was to play, and that they probably didn’t like it when they were criticised.

“To step over the white line is the most difficult thing.

“I’m sure they feel that a little bit differently to somebody of my age but I get it.

“That is the industry and so be it.”