YOUNG: I AM READY TO TAKE ON PENALTY DUTY
MANCHESTER UNITED STAR LOOKING TO ATONE FOR SHOOT-OUT FAILURE
Young wants to atone for his previous shootout failure and take a spot-kick if England’s World Cup hopes come down to penalties.
Gareth Southgate’s men might have to go all the way in tonight’s tough-looking last-16 clash with Colombia, putting their vulnerability from 12 yards in the spotlight.
England have lost six of their seven major tournament shootouts, with Young guilty of failing in the country’s last dalliance with spotkicks at Euro 2012.
The Manchester United man struck the bar in the agonising 4-2 quarter-final penalty defeat to Italy, but the now 32-year-old is ready to make amends in Moscow.
“Of course I’ll put my name forward,” full-back Young said.
“I have got the confidence in my own ability to step up and take one, so if it goes to that stage then I’ll definitely be one to put my hand up and want to take one.
“Obviously we’ve worked and practised them, and I have got confidence in my own ability to be able to score one.”
Southgate knows all too well about the Three Lions’ penalty problems, having missed a crucial attempt in the Euro 96 semi-final loss to Germany.
England have been practising, studying and developing strategies for penalty shootouts since March and their manager would have no problem picking Young if it came to it.
“He’s a player, as we’ve seen, with outstanding setplay delivery and technique,” Southgate said.
“Like all the players, we’ve been through all the various drills to prepare.
“Once we get to that point, we know of our sort of ranking of players and what we’ve seen, not just with us but over the years in players who have taken more in certain matches than others.
“We’re prepared but there’s a lot of football before that point.
“Our primary focus is preparing for what happens during the flow of the game but should it come to that stage we’re ready.”
Marcus Rashford has never taken a first-team penalty but has already let it be known that he wants to step up if needed.
Rashford is expected to drop back to the bench toAshley night, but if the game gets into extra-time the Manchester United forward would surely be on the pitch at Spartak Stadium.
“I think he (Southgate) knows the players who are confident in those circumstances. I’d be willing to step forward,” he said.
“Not everybody here is a penalty taker for their club. It’s more if you feel comfortable taking one, which I do.”