NO DISTRACTIONS

brought up with England being a core part of what we stood for and my life.

“To have played for England in major tournaments and now managing England is of course a huge honour.

“But my focus can’t be that I’m a tourist and I’m chuffed to be here, and I will for sure enjoy the experience because I know too many things I did in the past I didn’t take in.

“I think I’d be able to take those things in and focus on the job now because I’m more experienced.

“But it is another game of football, on a pitch the size that these boys have played on all their lives and we have to prepare them that way.”

Such considered tutelage coupled with the promise at his disposal has brought encouragement ahead of the World Cup, but it is underpinned by common sense.

“There’s a realism about expectations,” Southgate added in the bowels of the

“Wheniwasaplayer thereweremoments before the game when I thought‘allthemanager candonowisf***itup formeandputmeoff mygame’” “Myfamilyareincredibly patriotic.mygranddad wasamarine.i’vealways beenbroughtupwith Englandbeingacore partofwhatwestood forandmylife”

GARETH SOUTHGATE