Euro 2024

SIR GEOFF HURST backs Gareth Southgate to lead England to Euro 2024 glory — thanks to Jude Bellingham and his fellow young guns.The 1966 World Cup hat-trick legend reckons there is a “great chance” Three Lions boss Southgate will end 58 years of hurt this summer.England boasts young lions like Anthony Gordon, Jarrad Branthwaite and Kobbie Mainoo in their squadCredit: GettySir Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup finalCredit: PAAnd he is tipping Real Madrid midfield ace Bellingham to inspire England to success.The Euro 2020 final was the closest England have come to winning a major tournament since Hurst’s heroics.Southgate also guided England to the World Cup semi-finals in 2018.Hurst, 82, said: “Our chances of winning the European Championship this summer are very good.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“The leadership under Gareth has been really terrific and to have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup and the final of the Euros is good going.“There was a spell a few years ago where players felt it was more important to play European football with a club than represent their country. That’s all changed now under Southgate, although I recognise there’s still a section of people who will moan about how he gets England playing.“But you look at what he’s done and how he works. There’s been a gigantic step forward, so we’ve got a great chance.”The former England and West Ham striker sang Southgate’s praises at the Redgrave Theatre in Bristol during An Evening with Sir Geoff Hurst: The Farewell Tour – but he was less complimentary about some of England’s past efforts on the biggest stages.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHurst explained: “Some of the performances going way back have been very poor, especially in the World Cup in Brazil (2014). We had three qualifying games and before we knew it we were out and back home.“Some of the foreign managers haven’t done very well and some of our performances in tournaments have been shocking. But it will not be a shock to me if we win this summer.Shaun Custis and Jack Rosser discuss Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher’s England hopes as Southgate ponders Euro 2024 squad“I say that because I think we’ve got THE best bunch of young players, although it will be hard.”With Bellingham going from strength to strength in Spain, Hurst is optimistic England fans can finally celebrate as he continued: “Jude Bellingham is an unbelievable talent — what he’s done with his career so far is incredible.“He’s gone to Real Madrid and it seems he can’t stop scoring. That shows what a fantastic player he is.“But Jude is also one of a great bunch of young players, which is magnificent. He’s still only 20 which is astonishing and he is brilliant.“Plus he seems to be a nice lad and doesn’t seem to be getting carried away with anything.“I cannot speak highly enough about him. But he’s just one of a good number of young England players who will only get better, so we have a very good chance.”Hurst scored one of the sport’s most controversial goals in the 1966 final. But while he agrees VAR would have shown his shot was a yard over the line at Wembley, he is far from impressed with the new system.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe said: “Decisions should be made quickly. It’s c**p. Fans can’t celebrate properly, players can’t celebrate and the referee goes off the pitch to look at the screen for ten minutes.“And they somehow still make as many poor decisions, which is astonishing. It’s simply awful.”Jude Bellingham can secure Euro glory for England, insists HurstCredit: Getty More

ROBERT PAGE has been torn by Danny Ward’s Leicester exile.The Foxes goalkeeper, who is also Wales’ No1, has not played a single minute at club level this season in contrast to five matches for his country.Danny Ward has remained Wales No1 despite zero minutes for Leicester this seasonCredit: AlamyDragons keeper Ward denies England’s Marcus Rashford at the 2022 World CupCredit: GettyWales boss Page asked for his out-of-favour stars to get January moves but Ward, who cost £12.5million from Liverpool in 2018, failed to leave the King Power.Page said: “I’ve spoken to Danny. It wasn’t a case of him not listening to my advice. I had a couple of conversations with him. “When you put your player head on, you get it, I understand it.“When politics are involved and you’ve got a length of time left on your contract, it is not as easy as just getting out and playing games of football. There are many aspects to that.read more football news“We’ve dealt with players not playing for clubs in the past. “I’m just going to focus on the positives and the positives are that the majority of our squad are out playing football and playing well.“When I put my player head on, I have sympathy for Danny, when I put my manager head on, no, but with my player head on, of course I understand.“It’s hard sometimes and not easy to just get out when there are wages, fees and all-sorts involved, it is out of your control.”Most read in FootballGary Lineker calls for huge FA Cup rule change after Chelsea knock out his beloved Leicester in thrilling clashWard, 30, was on the bench for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie at Chelsea.But his preparation is hardly ideal for Thursday’s crunch Euro 2024 play-off semi-final against Finland in Cardiff.Page added: “He has played in a couple of under-23 games, he said he was going to do that and he has done, I think he’s played three or four.“It’s not the level, we know that, but at least he’s made some effort to go and play games.“In all positions it is important to have that rhythm of playing games. “We’ve managed it in the past before, we’ve never had the luxury of the amount of players playing that we do at the moment. We will have them up to speed and ready for the game.”Ipswich’s Wes Burns is unlikely to be fit after limping off with a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 6-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.Wycombe’s Joe Low has pulled out through a minor hamstring injury. More

SCOTLAND will not dangle a Euro 2024 carrot to tempt any player into pledging allegiance.A number of top talents have been discussed with regard to a potential switch to represent the Tartan Army this summer.John Carver (right) has said Scotland are valuing loyalty to their players ahead of the Euros this summerCredit: Kenny RamsayNewcastle duo Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento have been linked with a switch of allegiance to Scotland from EnglandCredit: GettyToon teammate Harvey Barnes has also been eyed by ScotlandCredit: GettyNewcastle quartet Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson and Tino Livramento, plus Leeds’ Archie Gray, have all been mentioned as possibles for months.Although Gordon has now been called up by England while Anderson pulled out.But Scotland No 2 John Carver insists there is little chance of any of them wearing a Dark Blue jersey at this year’s finals.On the suggestion of the Euros being used as a negotiating ploy, Carver replied bluntly: “I would be very surprised because loyalty is massive.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It is important to give these guys who have been loyal, and who have done really well for this national team, an opportunity to be in that squad of 23.“I think we are almost settled on what we are going to take away.“I’d be very surprised if somebody comes out from nowhere. Unless we find somebody who’s like, ‘Wow’ — an outstanding player.“I am not going to go down this street of Anderson and Gordon and all this lot because I’ve had enough of that. I am sick of talking about that.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“If somebody comes from nowhere I would be very surprised.“But we are looking at all the options for the future — because we have to take it further again after the Euros.”Shaun Custis and Jack Rosser discuss Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher’s England hopes as Southgate ponders Euro 2024 squadNorwich’s Grant Hanley has pulled out of Friday’s opening friendly against Holland in Amsterdam through injury, while FC Copenhagen’s loan ace Scott McKenna is a doubt.Brentford’s sidelined Aaron Hickey is sweating on his Euros place after aggravating a hamstring injury.Elliot Anderson is a fourth Newcastle star that England and Scotland are battling it out forCredit: GettyLeeds United’s Archie Gray has also been linked with a Scotland call up despite representing England at youth levelCredit: PA More

KIM Kardashian is planning a dream trip to the Euros – and it could be bad news for England boss Gareth Southgate.The reality TV megastar is treating her football-mad kids to a host of matches at this summer’s European Championships in Germany, according to a source.Kim is planning a trip to the Euros in Germany with her kidsCredit: Instagram/kimkardashianKim will be going to watch England against SerbiaCredit: GettyFans blamed Kim and the Kardashian curse for dented Arsenal’s Premier League hopes after she went to a match last seasonCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunKim has bagged tickets for Spain versus Croatia in Berlin on June 15, and will take in England’s crunch with Serbia just 24 hours later, the insider said.Sons Saint and Psalm will be chomping at the bit to see Harry Kane and co push for glory.But Three Lions fans will be praying the Kardashian curse which some believe dented Arsenal’s Premier League hopes last season has disappeared by the time she takes her seat.The Gunners were heading for the title yet their form fatally nosedived following Kim’s appearance at the Emirates towards the end of their ultimately botched campaign.Read more on the EurosOther teams at the Euros need to be on their guard – she’s planning to watch Portugal and the Czech Republic on June 18 which will also involve a meet and greet with Cristiano Ronaldo, the source added.Spain against Italy in Gelsenkirchen is also on her radar, along with the titanic France versus Holland clash and some massive knock-out stage games including the final in Berlin on July 14th.Kim will spend a whopping £200,000 on her Euro journey, but with cost not an issue, she will then move to Paris to take in the Olympic Games, according to the insider.Suites in the Olmpiastadion in Berlin will cost around £25,000, while in Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena, it will cost a tasty £6,300 per person.Most read in Euro 2024Stuttgart will set them back £4,200 per seat and a box in the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen will be $24,400.A source involved with organizing VIP experiences for Euro 2024 says it will be “great” to have Kim, her sons and some pals soaking up the atmosphere in Germany.Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024″They will see how passionate the crowds are and this trip is a dream for a kid that loves soccer,” said the insider.”This is a life experience and we hope to give them the best experience possible.”The Kardashian curse was also feared to hit France ace Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City goal-machine Erling Haaland after both players were seen hanging out with the American star.Kardashian isn’t the only star accused of cursing a team – Brazil fans are adamant Mick Jagger is a bad luck charm for their beloved five-time world champs.The Sun reached out to a rep for Kim.Gareth Southgate will be hoping his team aren’t hit by the Kardashian curseCredit: GettyKim with footy-mad kids Saint and Psalm on their way to an Inter Miami gameCredit: Reuters More