Strachan gives his backing to Southgate

GORDON STRACHAN last night endorsed England’s appointment of Gareth Southgate as their caretaker manager following the shock resignation of Sam Allardyce.

The Scotland manager was reluctant to become embroiled in the Allardyce controversy as he announced his squad for the Russia 2018 qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovakia yesterday.

The former Newcastle United, West Ham and Sunderland manager left his post on Tuesday after just 67 days and one game in charge following a sting by a national newspaper.

Strachan declined to comment on the fate of the 61-year-old, who was filmed telling undercover reporters posing as businessmen how to get around FA rules on third-party player ownership, at Hampden.

However, he spoke in glowing terms about Southgate, the England Under-21 manager who has taken over on a temporary basis for the next four games and who will be in the dugout for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Wembley in November.

“I know Gareth really well,” said Strachan. “I took Gareth’s job at Middlesbrough although we have actually got on great since then as we worked together at ITV. We have had spells of two or three weeks together in hotels, talking football.

“He’s a great lad, absolutely great lad. It’s good to be in his company. When he’s talking about the game he comes over well.

“I was actually with him last Saturday at the Fulham-Bristol City game.

“He wouldn’t have seen what was coming. We were talking about young players at Fulham. He was down to see a 16-year-old left back and came all the way down from Harrogate to see him.

“I really do wish him the best of luck for his four games – apart from our one, that’s for sure.”