‘Lionesses have tools for Euros’
ENGLAND legend Rachel Yankey is confident that the current Lionesses have got what it takes to win Euro 2017.
England kick off their campaign against Scotland in Utrecht on Wednesday and Yankey, 37, believes they will take heart from a brilliant World Cup campaign in Canada two years ago, which saw them reach the semi-finals and win a bronze medal.
“The World Cup was an achievement for us, no question,” said Yankey who won 129 caps with the Lionesses, the last in 2013, and was awarded an OBE for her services to football.
“The squad will take encouragement and confidence from that bronze medal.”
Twice England have reached the final of the Euros in the competition’s 33-year history – but have come away empty handed.
This time England are in a group with Spain, Portugal and Scotland, and Yankey is confident
129-cap England hero Rachel Yankey England will progress into the knockout stage of the 16-team tournament.
“The first match will mean a lot to both teams. It is Scotland so there is a lot of rivalry there already.
“But they’ll be without Kim Little because of injury. They will miss her. Spain and Portugal will be tough.
“Tournament football is especially hard on players who may not be getting a game,” added Yankey, who recalled a Lionesses talk from former England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce, himself a losing semi-finalist at Italia 90 as a player.
“He said we’d need our strongest players – and they might not be those who are playing a lot. Everybody has a part to play.”
And a Lioness or two to watch for in Holland in the coming weeks? “Arsenal’s Jodie Taylor is scoring,” said Yankey, who is part of the Fairer Game campaign to boost the number of female coaches. “And Fran Kirby of Chelsea poses a threat.” ■■To find out more about Betfair’s Fairer Game campaign, or to apply for a place, see www.fairergame.com