CORE BLIMEY, WE’RE GOOD!
Southgate: Backbone of winners making us roar
GARETH SOUTHGATE believes he is leading a team of winners who can go on to conquer Europe and beyond.
The Three Lions have become the new favourites to win the Euros for the first time in their history following a stunning march through the tournament.
Southgate’s men remain unbeaten and have still to concede a goal in five games.
The remarkable run has included a landmark triumph over Germany in the last 16 and this 4-0 thrashing of Ukraine in the quarter-finals in Rome, courtesy of Harry Kane’s early opener and headers from Harry Maguire, Kane and Jordan Henderson in the second half.
All the stars are now aligning for Southgate, including those in a Three Lions shirt, as England prepare for Wednesday’s semi-final showdown with Denmark on home soil at Wembley.
England have not won a trophy since landing the World Cup back in 1966, but Southgate is convinced his current crop of players have the mentality to end the nation’s long and painful wait for more silverware – and keep on doing it.
He said: “Our group are ready to go to the next step, they are excited by that challenge. They have a mix of being able to conduct themselves, I think, in a way that makes them relatable to the public, but they’ve got an edge. Within any team there’s a core group that drive the team and I don’t think you can underestimate the importance of that.
“I’ve talked before about young players that have high ambition and they want to win and they want to do well.
“But there’s a bond between groups that forms over a period of time where you know when challenges are made – when there’s a need to dig in when things are happening around the camp – and that core group is really important.
“The other thing that is so positive, these young players – 18, 19, 20, 21 – they’re getting more experiences of England that are positive and enjoyable.
“They’re feeling what it can be like to be in an England shirt and have fun and win matches and have a relationship with the fans that is positive. That’s so important for a generation to come. We’ll get more out of their talent if we can keep that relationship with the fans.
“Those young players now feel this is the level and this is what’s expected, the standard of what is expected. That, culturally, for the team over the next period of years, has to stay strong and give them the foundation.”
Southgate (above), meanwhile, believes Harry Maguire has become an inspiration to the rest of the squad.
The Manchester United captain has shown huge character to battle back from problems both on and off the pitch last season – and capped another wonderful display with England’s second goal in the Ukrainian romp.
Southgate added: “The beginning of this season was very difficult for Harry on a number of fronts, so it’s brilliant to see how he has emerged with so much more confidence as a leader. “You can see that within the group. Being captain of Manchester United is a massive challenge, a massive responsibility, but it’s brought a lot more out of him.
“You can see he’s more confident in himself and has gone on to another level – not just with his game but with his maturity.”