FOOTIE great Peter Shilton has backed England to beat the Danes tonight — and to go on to win Euro 2020 without Jordan Pickford conceding a goal.
The goalie, 71, saluted current keeper Pickford’s incredible five-game clean-sheet tally — a record for Euros tournaments.
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And the Three Lions’ most-capped star said the Everton stopper, 27, could even hold firm until captain Harry Kane lifted our first trophy in 55 years on Sunday.
Shilts, who played in two European Championships and three World Cups, told The Sun: “England should have enough to beat the Danes and won’t fear whoever they play in the final.
“To go all the way and win it without leaking a single goal would be astonishing — but this team can do it. Jordan Pickford is on the cusp of becoming a great goalkeeper and has had a terrific tournament. He seems to play better in an England shirt.
“He’s stepped up when it mattered but hasn’t had a lot to do thanks to the hard work and skill of the players in front of him. It’s been incredible to see a team reach the semi-finals without conceding and they’re just two games away from achieving the ultimate.
They can do it and lift the trophy in style — then win the World Cup next year.
Peter Shilton
“They can do it and lift the trophy in style — then win the World Cup next year. That’s how good they are.”
England are the only Euro 2020 side yet to concede, with clean sheets in their three group games against Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic.
Pickford also kept the ball out of his own net in the last 16 match against Germany and the 4-0 quarter-final demolition of Ukraine.
It is a feat never achieved by any national team in the history of European Championship football.
England were 25/1 long-shots with bookies to not concede before the semis at the start of the tournament — and 200/1 to win it without leaking a goal. Those odds have now crashed to 4/1 with two games to go.
And Shilts is convinced the sound defensive performances will be the bedrock of a push for England’s first tournament glory since 1966. He said: “Jordan Pickford has stepped up when it mattered.
“But, in truth, he hasn’t been called upon many times because he’s a cog in a very effective defence which has worked brilliantly so far. He’s pulled off a string of fine saves — particularly one against Scotland when it really mattered — and I’ve loved to see him both rollocking and encouraging his defenders.
Jordan Pickford has stepped up when it mattered.
Peter Shilton
“He had that blip when he miskicked against Ukraine but the match was already won by then and he got away with it.
“But our defence was not breached yet again — and with Raheem Sterling and Kane now on fire up front we will take some beating.
“I’ve experienced the agony of penalties in an England semi-final when the Germans knocked us out of the World Cup in 1990 and wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
“But I’ve a feeling that won’t happen against the Danes — and if it does this team will be ready to win on penalties. Jordan has the great advantage of having saved the penalty that won us our last shoot-out against Colombia at the last World Cup.
“But he also has a great defence in front of him which works as a unit. We’ve waited so long for a trophy it’s hard to believe that the great Gordon Banks was in goal for us last time we did it.
“But now it’s the turn of Jordan and his teammates and they can do it.” Shilts also paid tribute to England boss Gareth Southgate and predicted a bright future for his squad.
The whole country is smiling again and looking forward to the game in front of a Wembley full of fans.
Peter Shilton
He said: “I can’t praise Gareth highly enough for the way he’s kept faith with players through thick and thin. Players like Pickford, Kane and Sterling have had their critics but Gareth has stuck to his guns and trusted them and he’s been proved right.
“After all we’ve had to endure as a nation with Covid over the past 18 months, it’s fantastic that the team is coming good now to give us all a lift.
“The whole country is smiling again and looking forward to the game in front of a Wembley full of fans like the one I experienced so many times. And this England team won’t let them down.”
Meanwhile, Pickford’s wife Megan Davison will also put her faith in him keeping a clean sheet — with some help from a crystal healing bracelet.
Megan, 27, has worn the band — said to provide “emotional balance, stability and calm” — throughout the Euros.
A source said: “Megan’s been into crystal healing for the last year. She believes it brings harmony and wellbeing, not just for her but also for those around her.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
