Southgate is left frustrated as his England draw blank
GARETH Soutgate admits England will have to look at themselves closely in an attempt to find a cure to their attacking ills after firing a blank against Scotland.
The Three Lions have just one goal from their two Group D encounters following the Auld Enemy stalemate that saw Steve Clarke’s side boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Euros.
Scotland put up a valiant defensive effort at Wembley and were well worthy of their point as they bounced back superbly from their matchday one defeat to the Czech Republic earlier this week.
Southgate withdrew captain Harry Kane after another lacklustre attacking showing and knows his side need to sharpen up in the final third ahead of their clash with the Czechs on Tuesday.
Southgate said: “I think it was a frustrating night. We know that we can play better and we have got to give Scotland credit, they defended valiantly and played well.
“In the end, we didn’t do enough to win the game. If you are not going to win a game in a tournament then you make sure you don’t lose it.
“We understand it is a disappointment for our supporters especially but we have got to dust ourselves down now and move on with the next game.
“I just felt that we needed a few more runs in behind, felt that Marcus (Rashford) would give us that energy and we have got to try and get the win at that point. We have to make these decisions based on what we see.
“I think the whole team, we can look at ourselves and it starts with me. We have got to be better and we know that we didn’t do enough to win the game.
“We didn’t have enough attempts on goal. That is something that we have got to go away and look at over the next couple of days.”
Meanwhile, Tyrone Mings admits England suffered from
a lack of ‘intensity’ as they were held to a goalless draw by Scotland at Wembley.
Steve Clarke’s side bounced back from their opening day defeat to the Czech Republic with an inspired performance against the Auld Enemy to give themselves a chance of reaching the knockout rounds this summer.
Scotland now head into their matchday three clash at home to Croatia with their sights set on a place in the next round as England attempt to top Group D during their home tie with the Czechs.
It was to prove a frustrating night for the Three Lions as Scotland stifled their attacking threats and Clarke’s side could have won it as a couple of chances fell their way at Wembley.
And Aston Villa stopper Mings would rue the performance from Gareth Southgate’s side as attentions now turn to the final fixture in the section next week.
Mings said: “It’s dsappointing of course because we know we can play better. The important thing for us as defender and as a team going forward into the tournament, we kept another clean sheet which is a positive.
“I don’t think they wanted it more than us but we were not fluid and dynamic as wanted to be. It was a great occasion and we wanted to win the game, the atmosphere was incredible.“John McGinn is an annoying player to play against, a great player and we should have done more tonight.”
We know we can play better and we have got to give Scotland credit, they defended valiantly