Boothroyd embraces top billing

ENGLAND Under-21 coach Aidy Boothroyd has challenged his players to embrace the tag of favourites ahead of today’s Toulon Tournament semifinal with Scotland.

The Young Lions are hunting their third straight title in the south of France.

The two teams also face each other in their Euro 2019 qualifying group, with England having already beaten the Scots 3-1 in November.

Boothroyd said: “Playing for England, the boys have got to be able to deal with being favourites. We’ve got to be able to play as underdogs sometimes, it’s different labels, but the same thing applies when we’re favourites.

“Scotland will be a tough nut to crack, they’ll be up for it and think they can win. We’ll have to win that battle first and then let our football do the talking.” England finished second in Group A, behind Mexico who play Turkey in the other semi-final.

England drew 0-0 with the Mexicans, beat China 2-1 and thrashed Qatar 4-0 in their group as Boothroyd used the tournament as preparation for an expected progress to Euro 2019.

Age rules mean Boothroyd, above, cannot pick players in Toulon who were born before 1997 but he has been impressed by those he has picked. “There are guys who have come to the fore who I didn’t know that well – Jay Da Silva, Eddie Nketiah and the guys who have been here before and gone off the radar,” he said. “I think Adam Armstrong has been outstanding. He has been one of our best players. Those are three guys who have given me a bit of food for thought.”