Euro 2020

GRAEME SOUNESS has slammed England captain Harry Kane after his anonymous showing against Scotland saying: “Football isn’t coming home with this squad.”The England captain, 27, went missing yet again as Gareth Southgate’s team were booed off the pitch after being held 0-0 against Scotland.
Harry Kane once again struggled against Scotland with Graeme Souness quick to criticise the England skipperCredit: The Sun

Kane struggled against Croatia on Sunday and barely had a sniff against the Scots either.
England now sit second in Group D behind Czech Republic on goal difference and will need to win their final game to win the group.
And Souness took particular aim at Kane for his lacklustre showing in front of goal.
Speaking on ITV, Souness said: “The centre-backs had an easy night against him.
“Harry Kane looks a shadow of the player we know he is.
“In two games, he looks leggy, lacking enthusiasm…”
However, Souness did defend Kane, adding: “A centre-forward is 90 per cent relying on the passes he’s getting and he’s not getting a great deal from that midfield.
“I don’t care what anyone says, that ain’t working.”

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Graeme Souness raged over Harry Kane’s anonymous performance against ScotlandCredit: ITV

In a bitter swipe, Souness later added: “Football ain’t coming home with that team, I can tell you.”
Kane himself admitted it was a ‘tough game’ but was quick to credit Scotland for their performance.
The Three Lions skipper told ITV: “Credit to Scotland. It wasn’t our best performance but we dust ourselves down and look forward to the next game. 
“It was a tough game, Scotland defended really well, made great blocks at the right times – that’s football. No game is going to be easy. 
“We have a big game against the Czechs in a few days, obviously we want to finish top.
“We’re one step closer to qualifying and that’s what we want to do at the moment.”
Meanwhile, Kane refused to take aim at Southgate for subbing him off with 15 minutes to play, replacing him with Marcus Rashford.
Kane added: “It’s part of the game. The manager will make decisions best for the team.
“Sometimes you just have to take it for what it is.”

On subbing Kane, boss Southgate claimed: “I just felt we needed a few more runs in behind.
“Marcus had that energy and we had to try get the win at that point but we have to make decisions based on what we see.”
On the game itself, the England chief added: “It was a frustrating night, we can play better.
“It’s a huge credit to Scotland, they played valiantly. If you’re not going to win the game in a tournament you’ve got to not lose it.
“It’s a disappointment to supporters. I think the whole team we can look at ourselves and it starts with me, we have to be better.
“We know we didn’t do enough to win the game. Not enough attempts on goal. 
“I know exactly where this team is, it’s a very young team, some won’t have experienced a night under that intensity and pressure , we have to improve for the next game. 
“We have to see how everybody is in the dressing room after the game and make the right decisions.”
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England and Scotland tie in a disappointing goalless draw More

ENGLAND stuttered to a 0-0 draw against Scotland in Friday’s Euros clash at Wembley.Gareth Southgate’s men struggled to create chances against Steve Clarke’s impressive Scots side.
Harry Kane had a subdued game as England drew 0-0 with ScotlandCredit: PA
Mason Mount was the Three Lions’ brightest player at WembleyCredit: EPA
And the Three Lions will now be sweating over their place in the knockout stages with a tough game against Czech Republic still to play.
Here, SunSport’s Duncan Wright delivers his England player ratings…
JORDAN PICKFORD – 7
Fine stop to deny O’Donnell and looked assured dealing with dangerous crosses.
REECE JAMES – 7
Unfazed by any pressure, calm in defence, measured in attack. Vital header off line.
JOHN STONES – 7
Vital early block to deny Che Adams, unlucky to head against post. Sound display.

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TYRONE MINGS – 6
Relished the physical battle with Dykes, but clumsy slip almost cost England dear in second half.
LUKE SHAW – 6
Caught in behind early on, but settled into game. Didn’t provide as much threat going forward as hoped.
DECLAN RICE – 6
Kept the ball moving in midfield and did his job. Could do with striding forward more in possession.
Phil Foden lacked cutting edge before being hauled offCredit: Getty
KALVIN PHILLIPS – 6
Risky kick-out at McGinn, not the force of the previous game but kept at it.
MASON MOUNT – 7
Locked in battle with Billy Gilmour, looked most inventive player and went close from the edge of the box.
PHIL FODEN – 6
Drifted infield to get involved but lacked the cutting edge needed or hoped for.
Jack Grealish only had half an hour to impress against a tough Scotland defenceCredit: AFP
HARRY KANE – 5
Again struggled to get in game, couldn’t get the better of Grant Hanley and hauled off. Worrying form.
RAHEEM STERLING – 6
Lively from the start but lost his way and wasted series of good positions with poor choices.
SUBS
Jack Grealish (on for Foden, 63′) – Brief glimpses of creativity but did more work defensively – 6
Marcus Rashford (on for Kane, 74′) – Hardly had a look-in as England stuttered in attack – 6
England and Scotland tie in a disappointing goalless draw More

WE had been hearing false accusations of English arrogance all week long from the Scottish camp.In truth England were not arrogant enough by half.
John Stones saw an early header crash off the postCredit: Getty
Stephen O’Donnell’s strike is brilliantly saved by Jordan Pickford
Harry Kane was hooked off with 15 minutes left on the clockCredit: Reuters
Harry Kane was far from his best as England barely tested Scotland’s keeperCredit: The Sun
Gareth Southgate’s were lulled into a false sense of insecurity by a Scotland team playing their game of their lives.
England were anxious, then panicky. Untidy, then thoroughly ragged.
There were no clear heads and little self-belief.
And when Harry Kane was withdrawn 16 minutes from time, it was clear Southgate is facing a crisis over his captain – who looked as if he was running through porridge at times.
Kane’s lack of sharpness was a minor worry in England’s opening win against Croatia, here it was cause for severe stress.
This barely-deserved point means England are through to the last 16 barring a bizarre set of mathematics – but they look nothing like a team capable of going deep into this tournament.
It was a night when England hoped for a statement performance to set them up for the knock-out stages but this was anything but.
Scotland showed far more sense of purpose. Yes, Steve Clarke’s men snapped and scrapped and rattled and riled – but they also played the better football for long periods.
The Tartan Army lapped it up – teetering down Wembley Way in their skirts and belting out their anthems as the home crowd were reduced to jeers and whistles.

Harry Kane’s diving header flies wide of the postCredit: The Sun
Gareth Southgate cut a frustrated figure on the touchlineCredit: Reuters
Reece James came to England’s rescue after heading the ball off the lineCredit: Reuters
This was an inexperienced England side, and it showed. They looked impatient and nervous very early in the game, they never settled and they could easily have ended up with a humiliating defeat.
There were far too many sub-standard performances across the board – but none was more concerning than that of Kane, who is lacking rhythm and, perhaps, full fitness.
He is the one player Southgate will find it most difficult to replace and the manager is going to have to spend the next three days scrapping some well-laid plans after this.
As the Scots walked out for the warm-up they were showing keeper David Marshall flailing in the back of the net after being beaten from 50 yards by Patrik Schick in their opening defeat by the Czech Republic.
Flower of Scotland was drowned out by a deluge of boos – despite somewhat optimistic appeals from the FA to respect the visitors’ anthem.
And this place, a quarter full, sounded as hostile as it had ever done.
England’s players had been kidding themselves all week that this could be just another game. By kick-off time they knew different.
Southgate changed both of his full-backs, Reece James and Luke Shaw in for Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier – bold selections which gave his side an extremely youthful look.
England couldn’t bundle a late goal line scramble over the lineCredit: AP
Phil Foden was replaced by Jack Grealish after 60 minutesCredit: Reuters
Billy Gilmour picked up the Man of the Match following an impressive performanceCredit: Getty
Steve Clarke welcomed back Kieran Tierney, who excelled, brought the creative Billy Gilmour in to anchor his midfield and moved Scott McTominay back to central defence.
Scotland were right at it from the off, Che Adams having an early shot blocked and England struggling to settle.
Ten minutes in, England began to pass and move. Mason Mount had a shot deflected wide, delivered the corner himself and John Stones crashed a free header against the post.
Then Sterling delivered a nutmegged centre and Mount shot wide at the near post.
But England were failing to dominate, their passing lacked sharpness, Kane was looking sluggish, and there was a claymore’s edge to Scotland’s tackling.
Steve Clarke’s men were making this their kind of game – a feisty, ragged derby – and there was an anxiety about the Wembley crowd.
On the half-hour, Scotland almost scored. Kieran Tierney kippered Reece James and centred for Stephen O’Donnell to scuff a volley, Jordan Pickford plunging low to push away.
There was a feeling that the Scots were more ‘up for it’, though in all probability they were enjoying the freedom of the underdog, England were inhibited by their favouritism and frustrated by their inability to impose themselves.
As the first half drew to a close, Scotland were more comfortable, and more purposeful in possession, and England retreated to boos from their own supporters.
It was beginning to feel a little like Iceland in Nice – England panicky, lacking clarity of thought, snatching at passes. And the Scots are a better side than Iceland were.
Southgate’s half-time team talk ought to have started with the words ‘calm the f*** down and play your football’.
Scotland were certainly the happier of the two teams at the full time whistleCredit: PA
England were left frustrated after mustering just a shot on targetCredit: AFP
Gareth Southgate consoles Declan Rice at the full time whistleCredit: Reuters

England began the second half with far more assuredness, Sterling causing problems, a Mount shot forcing Marshall to push wide, James firing over from the edge of the box.
Then those jitters returned – James and Stones stumbling around in their own penalty box and the crowd clamouring for Grealish.
As Grealish stripped off for action, to replace Phil Foden, James headed off the line from Lyndon Dykes.
Kane was withdrawn, in favour of Marcuc Rashford, 16 minutes from time and there could be no argument. The skipper had achieved next to nothing.
Not that Grealish, Rashford or any of the rest of them could carve out a proper chance in the closing stages.
The final whistle sounded to Scottish roars and English boos. What a thorough letdown this was.
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England and Scotland tie in a disappointing goalless draw More

SKIPPER Harry Kane was hauled off after 74 minutes as he and England notched shocking stats in their goalless Euro 2020 draw with Scotland.Kane had just TEN first-half touches, while the Three Lions failed to record a shot on target before the break at Wembley for the first time since a 0-0 friendly stalemate against Germany in November 2017.
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Captain Harry Kane was taken off as Gareth Southgate desperately tried to shake up his misfiring Lions at WembleyCredit: Reuters

And the last time England were so wayward in a first period during a competitive game at the home of football was SEVEN years ago.
It did not get any better for Kane after the break and he was replaced by Marcus Rashford as Gareth Southgate desperately chased a spark.
And the skipper’s touch map highlighted just how subdued Southgate’s main man was against a lively Scotland side who were jubilant at picking up their first point in the group.
ITV pundit Graeme Souness described Kane’s showing as a ‘shadow’ of what he can do.
He said: “Harry doesn’t look himself, he looks shady and looks tired.
“This is a guy who’s hoping to get a big move this summer, he needs to wake himself up. He came off in the first game, is he carrying something? Because he looks a shadow of himself.
“He’s England’s one player who has proven at this level to get goals on a regular basis and if that’s not happening in this competition – you’re not going very far.
“Without Harry Kane – football isn’t coming home with that team, I can tell you, not the way they’re playing.”
0 – England failed to record a shot on target in the first half of a match at Wembley for the first time since a friendly versus Germany in November 2017, while they last failed to do so in a competitive game there in November 2014 against Slovenia. Tepid. #ENG #EURO2020— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 18, 2021

And Kane told ITV afterwards he readily accepted his substitution.
Gareth Southgate replaced Harry Kane with Marcus RashfordCredit: AFP
He said: “It’s part of the game and to be fair it was the right decision.
“Scotland defended well and had some chances. It was a fair result.
“We have a big game now against the Czechs. We want to finish top.”
England’s nervy draw was in contrast to the stylish unity they showed in beating Croatia 1-0 just five days earlier.
And they are now second in Group D, ahead of Tuesday’s clash with table-toppers the Czech Republic.

Only victory will make England group winners because the Czechs, equal with them on four points, have a superior goal difference.
Some fans on social media suggested Kane was not yet fully fit after his ankle injury.
And thee England team as a whole took a pasting.

Euro 2020 fans drown out boos with cheers as players take the knee for England V Scotland match More

ROY KEANE was left fuming after John Stones struck the post with an open header during England’s frustrating draw with Scotland.Just 11 minutes into the game at Wembley, the Manchester City defender leapt highest to meet a teasing corner.
John Stones hit the post when it seemed easier to score just 11 minutes into the game

Completely unmarked, Stones looked almost astonished to be so open just yards from goal.
The Three Lions centre-back seemed to hang in the air with the goal gaping.
But, despite making superb contact with the ball, Stones rocket header somehow collided with the post and bounced out in what turned out to be their best chance in the 0-0 stalemate.
And at half-time, Keane couldn’t hide his frustration at Stones for spurning the gilt-edged chance, saying he ‘has to score’ – with fans left in stitches at his passionate rant.
Keane also took aim at holding midfielder Declan Rice for failing to inspire any forward momentum for England – who named their youngest-ever starting XI in a major tournament in Friday’s game.
Speaking on ITV, the ex-Republic of Ireland hardman roared: “They’re all taking too many touches at the back.
“Rice is coming back, doing nothing. He’s coming back and giving sidewards passes.
“Not good enough.”

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I never want anyone to be as disappointed with me as Roy Keane is with John Stones’ jump for a header. #ENGSCO— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) June 18, 2021

Anyone know if Roy Keane thinks Stones has to score from the corner?— Matt Holbrook Golf (@MattHolbrook86) June 18, 2021

Reading between the lines I think Roy Keane thinks that Stones should have scored there. #ENGvSCO— Jason (@theboycarve) June 18, 2021

I’m not sure, but I reckon Roy Keane thinks that Stones has to score! I could be wrong!!!— David Tompkins (@dat010380) June 18, 2021

Roy Keane wasn’t happy with John Stones’ miss or England’s lack of creative spark in midfieldCredit: BBC

Fellow pundit Graeme Souness agreed England were lacking a creative spark in the middle of the park.
The Scot said: “They need a maestro. They’ve got Phillips and Rice – two peas out of the same pod.
“This is England, at home and they’re not threatening. But I saw that against Croatia.
“I think the two central midfielders, you need a different type of player in there in the centre.”
Around the hour-mark, Gareth Southgate introduced Jack Grealish, who replaced Phil Foden – answering Ian Wright’s prayer, after the ex-England striker demanded a change.
At half-time, Wright had said: “We need someone who can do something different.
“You need someone who can get on the ball and commit a player, commit someone, drag someone out and go past them and see if we can create something.”
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England vs Scotland sees sporting royalty at Wembley as David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson watch on More

ROY KEANE and Graeme Souness hailed ‘fabulous’ Mason Mount ahead of England’s 0-0 Euros bore draw with Scotland.Mount, 22, was thrust into the starting XI by Gareth Southgate for the group game at Wembley, which ended in a frustrating stalemate.
Mason Mount was hailed as a ‘fabulous’ player ahead of England’s clash with ScotlandCredit: EPA
Keane believes Mount and Foden are the future of the England football teamCredit: BBC
It was reward for a fine season at Chelsea, where the 22-year-old capped his campaign by claiming the Champions League crown.
Mount scored nine goals in 54 games under Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel.
He provided the assist for Kai Havertz’s winner against Man City in the European final.
And Mount was also voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year before linking up with Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
It led ITV pundits Souness and Keane to heap praise upon on the attacking midfielder before tonight’s kick-off, with the pair calling Mount ‘fabulous’ while claiming the best is yet to come.
Souness beamed: “He’s a fabulous player and he’s going to get better.
“With young players, you worry about the influences, they might start to believe about the hype that’s around them, especially in the Premier League today.
“He shows signs that he’s completely grounded, I see him as a goal-scoring creative midfielder and there’s not many of them around of his quality and he can only get better.

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Souness believes Mount will continue to blossom into a world-class playerCredit: BBC

“He’s at a big club where he’s going to be winning trophies, he’s going to be playing with better players and that will put him along as well.”
Reflecting on Mount’s budding England partnership with Man City star Phil Foden, Keane added: “Two outstanding players.
“One of the biggest strengths is that they know the game. They’re clever, clever footballers.
“There’s an obsession about playing between the lines, these kids know how to do it, footballing intelligence, two outstanding players.”

Mason Mount loving life at Euro2020 with England pal Declan Rice but hates the early wake-up calls More