Southgate: Last-gasp goal was huge
Coach hails England’s character in late comeback Neville criticises Hart for Scotland’s late double
Gareth Southgate said Harry Kane’s injury-time equaliser in England’s World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Hampden Park was a “huge moment” for the team and demonstrated they could come through tmes of extreme pressure.
Kane scored in the third minute of added time at the end of the game which had an incredible twist when Leigh Griffiths dispatched two late free-kicks past Joe Hart in the space of three minutes to give Scotland the lead.
England had controlled possession and earlier been given the lead by second-half substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain only to concede twice late on.
Faced with losing their first meaningful qualifier in almost 10 years, Kane scored at the back post from substitute Raheem Sterling’s cross to continue his side’s unbeaten record in six games in qualifying Group F.
Scotland stay fourth behind Slovenia and Slovakia with four games left.
Southgate said: “It’s a huge moment for the team. The questions around us centre on character and the ability to withstand events that go against you. We have to show we are a team that is never beaten, maybe the clock runs out but you never stop. We did that in this game and a real quality finish under pressure to get a point.
“Is it what we wanted when we came here? Not really. But the chain of events is remarkable, really.”
He added: “There is a mad minuteand-a-half where there is a free-kick we should not concede and two moments of real quality from Griffiths, credit to him – they are outstanding technical finishes.
“At 2-1 down I didn’t see anyone sink to their knees or anyone hit the floor. The body language said we were still in the game and we should never ever be throwing the towel in those moments. It only takes 10 seconds to score a goal. The end for me is significant as the character of the team has to come through in those moments.”
Southgate refused to blame his goalkeeper Hart who was beaten to his left for the first free-kick from Griffiths and to his right for the second. Commentating for Sky Sports, Gary Neville, the former assistant manager of the England team, was critical of Hart, saying that he should have at least got closer to the ball on both occasions.
Neither of Griffiths’ strikes were placed in the very corner of Hart’s goal. On the first Neville said: “I have to say it’s a good strike but Joe Hart is beaten a metre inside his post. Should he get there? Maybe.”
On the second goal he said: “I think Joe Hart should save it, again. People can criticise me if they want but that’s poor from the goalkeeper. He [Griffiths] knows if he gets it up and down it’s a goal and he [Hart] doesn’t move his feet quick enough.”
Southgate said Scotland captain Scott Brown should have been sent off for a second bookable offence after picking up an early yellow. Southgate said: “Not only did we discuss how we wanted to play but also how we needed to be if events went against us.
“But it is only one small step in that direction. We can still improve in all areas, we all know that but it was a significant moment nevertheless.”
Gordon Strachan said his players had “gone to another level” to compete against the “power and strength” of England. “You cannot question my players’ personality, character and commitment.”