No ‘dentist chairs’ for Dec’s Lions but spirit is stronger than ever
WHEN Paul Gascoigne scored against Scotland at Euro 96 he paid homage to the importance of oldschool team bonding with his ‘dentist chair’ celebration.
How times have changed! Perhaps an England scorer against the Scots this time will celebrate by dealing out a set of imaginary Uno cards?
The Three Lions of 25 years ago might have had more spirits in the night clubs of Hong Kong – but the quieter-living Class of ’21 more than make up for it with the amount of spirit they have in the camp.
And England’s band of brothers have no fear about lacking in the tribalism stakes when it comes to Friday night’s Battle of Britain.
They are just as rough, ready and resolute as the visitors from north of the border – and that’s not always been the case down the years.
England’s World Cup winners were football high society with everything to lose when they met Scotland 10 months on from that summer of ’66.
And lose they did, 3-2 atWembley. Then in 1977, when London was the focus for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, Scotland took over the city – and broke the crossbars in England’s national stadium after a 2-1 win.
Both times it was as if England were on a pedestal. And not quite ready to get their hands dirty enough. But this time Scotland will face a tightly bonded group ready to fight for their pride – the pride of a family of young Lions who have almost grown up together.
Declan Rice reflected that simple camaraderie best in the aftermath of the win against Croatia in the opening game on Sunday.
“We’re buzzing,” he said. “[England assistant boss] Steve Holland said after that we can enjoy the night but then we have to crack
on. The game against Scotland will probably go down in our careers as one of the most memorable you will ever get to play.
“We know the history with
Scotland.
We know the type of game it will be. We’ll travel back after the Croatia game and have a laugh among the lads and enjoy it.
“But then we want to focus on Scotland – and repeat the same performance.”
At the heart of England’s opening victory was the pairing of Rice and Mason Mount – the 22-year-olds who first played together in the Chelsea academy, aged just six.
“We just said to each other to enjoy this moment,” said Rice about his pal. “It might never come around again. We worked so hard together to get to where we wanted to be.
“For us to get the call-up is special and amazing. You couldn’t write it and I am buzzing.”
Alongside them in the very heart of the victory over Croatia, Kalvin Phillips, 25, was ready to fight for everything England could get out of the game.
And the energetic example of these three forced everybody in the side to get stuck in. Nobody is allowed to stand above it all.
Scotland will come to Wembley looking to try to knock England off their pedestal again. They will have their work cut out this time.
Rice said: “It won’t be easy for us. Scotland are going to come and be physical and we need to match that and do more.
“We need to be ready for them – and we will be ready.”
Working hard, yes. Playing too, on the pitch.
As far as England are concerned, it’s one for all and all for Uno. hard
Scotland will be physical ...and we will be ready