SEIZE THE DAY
Southgate’s plea to his big-game hunters
GARETH SOUTHGATE has challenged his stars to prove they have what it takes to win the Euros for England.
The Three Lions boss claims even the youngsters in his squad have tons of big-game experience after seven of his players reached the Champions League Final. And ahead of their tournament opener against Croatia at Wembley tomorrow Southgate says it’s time to prove it.
He said: “We have to show that. Some of our youngest players have got experience of big games.
“Tournaments are about hitting form at the right time and we have to bring everything over the next four weeks.”
Southgate, who could pick a three-man midfield to combat Croatia’s Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic, claims England is a happy camp.
But he doesn’t want it to stay that way – because he
wants his players on edge. Southgate said: “None of them have been told they aren’t playing yet, so that happiness can change very quickly!
“It is not essential to have everybody happy to have a successful team, and in fact sometimes it is good if a few aren’t.
“It is important we’ve got an environment where players mix really well. But we’ve got to compete.
“We have to push and we need an environment that is on the edge – not too relaxed and not too comfortable.”
Southgate fears England fans will boo his side for taking the knee before the game, despite being asked to applaud.
But he insists it’s time to let the football do the talking, saying: “This is a moment in our lives that is a rare opportunity.
“We recognise the moments when we can make a difference and we still think that’s important. But we want the story to be about the football.”