'Get behind the players'

England manager Gareth Southgate has asked supporters to get behind his players after their 0-0 draw with Scotland at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.

Having named England’s all-time youngest-ever tournament line-up, with an average age of just 25 years and 31 days, Southgate was keen to point out how young many of his players are, and how few of them have experienced an international derby with Scotland before.

“What we need to do is make sure we get behind the players,” he said.

“There’s a lot of young players that need the support of everybody. Most of them haven’t been involved in a game like that before — they are unique occasions. They’ll learn a lot, they’ll bounce back from it. But they need everybody behind them.”

Southgate believed 0-0 was a “fair score-line, first and foremost,” but is confident the Three Lions remain in a strong position in terms of progression from their group.

“We didn’t create enough clear-cut chances to win the game, but I don’t think we deserved to lose it either. I’ve got to give huge credit to Scotland. I thought they defended extremely well and used the ball well.

“In the end, [we didn’t do] enough to win, but this is a tournament and it’s critical when you can’t win not to lose. That’s difficult in the last 15 minutes of a game like tonight, where fans are desperate for you to go forward and abandon all shape.

"But a point is still an important step towards qualification. Ultimately, qualification is the first objective for us.”

England are just behind Czech Republic — their next opponents — in the group, and Southgate can see the bigger picture.

“We know where we sit in the group. In the context of qualification, four points from two matches [means] we’re in a strong position. We have to make sure that we get the third game right. Our first objective is to qualify, and we’re still on track to do that.”

The Three Lions kept their second successive clean-sheet at EURO 2020 thanks in no small part to a wonderful first-half stop from Jordan Pickford to deny Stephen O’Donnell’s low volley.

And Pickford’s post-match reflections echoed his manager’s.

“It’s a massive game,” the goalkeeper admitted.

“We want to take all three points every game we play — to win the game. The biggest thing tonight was, if we can’t win it, don’t get beaten. The resilience of keeping a clean sheet from the lads, that’s what we did. We’ve got four points, we’re still in control of the group. We’ve got to get ready for Czech Republic now.”

England will need their goalkeeper to be in inspired form if they’re to go deep in this tournament, and Pickford was pleased with his own personal display against Scotland.

“I thought I had a good performance,” he added.

“I made one good save and came and commanded a few crosses. It’s just about being in that moment and helping your teammates out as a goalkeeper. I felt like I did that tonight — and another clean sheet which I’m pleased with.”