Gareth: We feel pride from home

GARETH SOUTHGATE basked in the pride of the nation as he paid tribute to the players who have taken England to the World Cup semi-finals.

The Three Lions boss became only the third England manager after Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson to reach the last four of football’s elite tournament.

Back home, England has been united by World Cup fever – and Southgate said: “This is a chance to connect everybody through football and make a difference to how people in our country feel.

“We have players from different parts of the country, and youngsters from those places will be taking inspiration from that.

“I’d imagine there’s a big party going on back home.

Not for us, of course, but the feeling of satisfaction we have at the moment is enough.

“We are feeling the warmth and the energy from home. It hasn’t always been like that.

“I told the players 18 months ago that if they have success with England it will be far bigger than they will ever had with their clubs.”

Southgate added: “The players are good people. They are all England fans.

“They’ve all worn the shirt as kids and they are now proud to wear the shirt as senior players.

“They have parked club rivalries at the door and have built a great spirit.

“I am very proud. We went to the very depths physically and emotionally against Colombia, so to play like that today is a sign of resilience.”