Southgate tells fan-tastic heroes

GARETH SOUTHGATE has told his desolate England stars: ‘You’ve put the pride back into the shirt’.

The England boss and his Three Lions heroes saw their World Cup dreams shattered by the 2-1 extra-time defeat to Croatia.

Players and fans alike are still coming to terms with missing out on a final with France.

But Southgate has tried to pick up his inconsolable players by telling them they have succeeded where so many others have failed by repairing the broken relationship between the supporters and their national team.

And in a tournament with so many positives, Southgate believes that giving the country a team to believe in again could be the biggest plus of all.

“The whole place was desolate,” said Southgate of the dressing room scene in the Luzhniki Stadium after Mario Mandzukic’s winner sent England crashing out.

“But I told them I was incredibly proud of them for how they have been and how they have represented their country.

“We can reflect on the progress we’ve made, the way a lot of individuals had incredible tournaments – and as a team we have had an incredible tournament.

“We’ve played in a style we wanted to play and have come through so many barriers as a team that have been historic difficulties for us.

“The connection with the fans at the end shows how far the team has come, so I’m hugely proud of them all.

“They’ve been a pleasure to work with. I don’t think anybody could have given any more than they did.”

The new-found bond between team and fans was evident as they applauded one another until well after the final whistle in Moscow, before the players sought out their loved ones in the stands.

Southgate went back onto the pitch too after completing his media duties having steered England to within a whisker of their first final since 1966.

“For managing, coaching, you are leading your country,” he said.

“And I feel hugely proud that we’ve managed to get a connection and give people such enjoyment over an extended period of time.

“We wanted to go one step further and we were really conscious that it was possible. I do think that was possible and so there is some regret, but not for me in terms of the players because they’ve been absolutely brilliant.

“The spirit of the group, going forward, I think they recognise what they’ve had over this period and what