Southgate: Shake it off for ‘big business’

Gareth Southgate told his England players it is milkshakes all round after they booked a World Cup last-16 date with Senegal and earned a day off, but also warned “the big business starts now”.

England topped Group B with a 3-0 victory over Wales in which Marcus Rashford scored twice and dedicated his goals to his friend Garfield Hayward, who died ahead of the game yesterday.

Southgate allowed his England squad to relax with a few beers after they qualified from the group stages at the Russia World Cup, but recognised they would need to relax with a different drink in Qatar, where alcohol is only available at certain licensed hotels and restaurants.

Asked what his players would drink with beer off the menu, Southgate said: “We’ve got loads of milkshakes back at the hotel. Everything is different, so we’re embracing it. We love our base camp, the people that are operating the hotel are fabulous people, really we couldn’t be happier. We’re enjoying each other’s company, the players are really tight. So to this point we’re really pleased and the big business starts now really.”

Southgate revealed his players would be given today off before preparing for Senegal on Monday.

“They’ve got a day off their feet,” said Southgate. “They don’t have to look at our faces, which I’m sure they’ll be delighted with, and we can start to prepare for the knockout round.”

On the challenge Senegal will pose, he added: “They have some big players playing in big leagues across Europe. Some play in England. We know that on the rankings we’ll be the favourites. We’ve got to deal with that, but we play a dangerous team.”

Southgate was unaware of Rashford’s personal loss but was proud of his performance.

“I didn’t have any idea, so that didn’t manifest itself in his body language or demeanour. It wasn’t something he mentioned to us. I’ve just heard outside what had happened and I did wonder because it’s not his usual celebration. So he’ll be able to articulate that memory.”