Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Players can recover from penalty trauma
Airdrieonians legend Andy Smith admits he feels for England’s Euro 2020 youngsters after their penalty kick misses against Italy in the final defeat earlier this month.
The 52-year-old works for the English FA as the head of their para-football operations and was at St George’s Park, England’s training ground, as staff waved the team off for their short trip to Wembley on July 11.
They would return home empty-handed though as Italy came from behind to level the clash at 1-1 and force a penalty shootout, which they won 3-2 to lift the trophy.
Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka saw his decisive spot-kick saved by Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma after Manchester United pair Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho had also missed.
And ex-scotland B cap Smith told the Advertiser:“it’s disappointing for England and the three lads that missed.
“It’s tough for them, they are young players but I’m sure they will recover.
“I’ve seen it from the other side, the build-up they had to it and working with the FA, so it’s still been a fantastic tournament for them.
“I know people were split on the game [with many Scottish fans backing Italy], but I felt watching it when England scored early doors they were going to win it.
“After 15-20 minutes the Italians got a wee grip on the game.
“I always thought it was going to go to penalties – that was my prediction beforehand – and it’s always a lottery when that happens.”
Smith has had a strong association with the English FA having previously been the manager of the CP team, a role he took on in 2017 having been Scotland CP coach.
The Diamonds hero, who was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2018, added:“i’m working full-time with the FA now.
“I oversee all the para teams. I take the deaf men and the cerebral palsy England teams, but I also oversee the national coaches from the para-football side of it.
“I’ve been down there since October and it’s been terrific.”