The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)

Shilton impressed by Southgate’s calm approach

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England’s most capped player Peter Shilton believes Gareth Southgate’s grounded approach will stand the Three Lions in good stead for their first World Cup semi-final in 28 years.

Southgate’s men beat Sweden 2-0 in Samara on Saturday to advance to the last four for just the third time in history.

Shilton, who won 125 caps for his country, was the goalkeeper for England’s last World Cup semi-final appearance when West Germany beat Bobby Robson’s side on penalties.

The 68-year-old insists it is paramount today’s team do not get carried away with the prospect of internatio­nal football’s greatest prize so close, and he has been impressed by how Southgate has managed emotions.

“Obviously you know that you’re getting very close to the final and you do obviously get a little bit excited, but you’ve got to keep focused,” Shilton told Sky Sports News HQ.

“The one thing that’s come across with this squad is they’ve kept their feet on the floor, nobody’s getting too excited and I think that’s the right approach.”

Saturday’s victory over Sweden was once more greeted with jubilant scenes up and down the country.

Captain Harry Kane and his teammates have been given an indication of the feeling back home from celebrator­y clips on social media, with Shilton admitting the 1990 squad were largely unaware of how the nation reacted to their progress.

“It’s quite strange for me to witness all the hype and the crowds and how excited they are because that’s what it must have been (like) in Italia 90 when we got to the semis,” he explained.

“But we didn’t know all that over there, we’d never experience­d it. I think Gareth Southgate’s letting the team see one or two clips of the fans and that’s good because it wasn’t until we’d got home the enormity of what we’ve achieved.

“I think it’s good the players understand it’s a big moment for the country.”

 ??  ?? Peter Shilton won 125 caps for England and played in the Italia ’90 semi-final defeat at the hands of Germany.
Peter Shilton won 125 caps for England and played in the Italia ’90 semi-final defeat at the hands of Germany.

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