Southgate: We have to forget the World Cup

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate knows his young squad have come a long way since paper aeroplanes were thrown onto the Wembley pitch but warned the World Cup semifinalists must continue to improve.

Southgate’s side face Spain in their opening UEFA Nations League clash tonight before taking on Switzerland at Leicester’s King Power Stadium in a friendly next week.

The Three Lions’ run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia united the nation earlier this summer, restoring public affection after several tournaments of disappointment.

Southgate, though, believes it is the time to look forward and move on from the defeat to Croatia in Moscow.

“Over the summer (at the World Cup) you are looking for results, now it is about developing the team and improvement, looking at how we play, the tactical detail and testing ourselves against some really top teams,” the England manager said.

“It is great we have got a full house (at Wembley) and we can step out in front of our own fans, and everyone will feel the appreciation - but now it is about the next challenge.

“The summer is finished, we’ve got to move forward, continually evolve. Sport doesn’t stand still and you have to improve. What comes next is the most important thing.

“It is brilliant that there is this excitement around international football because one of our ambitions is to improve that connection with the supporters, so the impact of the team over the summer was really pleasing.

“A year ago we had paper aeroplanes landing in the pitch when we qualified, so that is great credit to the players.”