Reece James and Luke Shaw are set to be thrown into England’s crunch Euro 2020 clash with Scotland as Gareth Southgate drops Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier to change BOTH full backs in bold call against the Auld Enemy
- England take on fierce rivals Scotland in their next Euro 2020 group stage clash
- Gareth Southgate has told his players to seize the moment at Wembley on Friday
- Three Lions boss Southgate also says winning the trophy would define his reign
- And he is set to make two bold changes to the team which beat Croatia
- Full-backs Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker are both set to be dropped
- Luke Shaw is set to play at left back while Reece James comes in at right back
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
Gareth Southgate is set to make two bold changes to his England team to face Scotland in Friday’s huge Euro 2020 clash against the Auld Enemy at Wembley.
Southgate was giving serious consideration to rotating his full backs for the Euro 2020 showdown at Wembley, with Reece James ready to replace Kyle Walker at right back and Luke Shaw is set to pip Ben Chilwell in the race to replace Kieran Trippier on the opposite flank.
The England boss is also set to keep faith with Tyrone Mings in the heart of his defence despite first-choice centre back Harry Maguire declaring himself fit following an ankle ligament injury that has kept him out for six weeks.
Gareth Southgate has told his England players to seize the moment in their clash with Scotland
Reece James (left) is set to play at right back against Scotland, while Luke Shaw (right, left) is also set to be drafted into the starting line-up as Southgate makes two bold changes
Kieran Trippier (left) started against Croatia at left back but is set to be dropped to the bench, while Kyle Walker looks set to miss out to James against the Scots at Wembley
Victory against the Scots will be enough for England to qualify for the knockout stages, raising hopes that the national team are on course to win their first major tournament since 1966.
And Southgate conceded that winning the country’s first trophy in 55 years would define his reign as England boss.
‘Tournaments define England managers, there is no doubt about that,’ said Southgate.
‘If you look at our history, most of our win records are reasonably similar but the tournament performances define you.
Southgate and his squad have been gearing up for a huge clash against the Three Lions’ rivals
‘We are aware of that and know they are the things that really matter for the country and really matter for the team.’
And the England boss has urged his players to use the frightening episode that nearly cost Christian Eriksen his life after he suffered cardiac arrest as inspiration.
‘When we saw what happened with Christian Eriksen the other day, it was just another reminder that you have got to go for things in life and give them the best possible shot,’ said Southgate.
‘At least when you’re finished, you don’t have regrets about things you did not have a go at or performances that were inhibited. We have got to go for it.’
Boss Southgate believes he wouldn’t be in charge if England hadn’t beaten Scotland in 2016
Southgate has also revealed that he would not be England manager today if he hadn’t led the team to victory over Scotland in November 2016.
The 50-year-old was in caretaker charge when England defeated the Scots 3-0, thanks to goals from Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill.
Southgate was appointed full-time head coach three weeks later.
‘If we had not beaten Scotland you would not be speaking to me here,’ revealed Southgate.
Southgate said he ‘felt it was a job’ he wanted and he was handed the reigns three weeks later
‘On a personal level, by the time we got there I felt it was a job I wanted even though I was never going to say that publicly.
‘But I knew having worked with the players and having had a closer insight into the workings of the job it was something I wanted to go for in my life.
‘I had kind of regretted not having had a go at it earlier and would never have known what might have been possible. That is not a good position to be in, in your life.’
Harry Maguire is set to start on the bench at Wembley as he works back towards full fitness
Meanwhile, Maguire is set to start the game on the bench as he approaches full fitness.
Southgate added: ‘The decision we’ve got to make is whether he’s ready to start but we’ve been really pleased with his progress.
‘He’s trained with the team for four or five days now and had no reaction.’