McGinley is impressed by ‘clever’ Southgate

GARETH Southgate’s control of his role as England manager has impressed Paul McGinley and Europe’s winning-Ryder Cup captain suspects England will continue to do well in the World Cup.

‘Watching (Gareth) Southgate from leadership point of view, he’s playing it very carefully and cleverly. He’s playing down expectations and he’s impressed me so far,’ said McGinley.

‘He’s got people onside. He hasn’t been abrasive; he’s been very humble. He’s been very open to the media, who realise he’s got a job to do.’

Just as McGinley knew Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter and Jamie Donaldson from his Seve Trophy captaincy and could lean on them in Gleneagles, so Southgate is trusted by players many of whom came through the England Under 21 ranks under him, such as Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Dele Alli, Ruben LoftusCheek and Jordan Pickford.

‘You establish those relations early. That’s the evolution of captaincy,’ said McGinley.