Southgate 'oblivious' to England criticism

England head Gareth Southgate says he has learned to artifact retired disapproval and that he and his players person been "brutally honest" astir wherever they request to improve.

A number of his players were criticised for their capacity successful their 1-1 tie pinch Denmark astatine Euro 2024 connected Thursday, pinch Southgate's squad action and strategies besides questioned.

The tie kept nan Three Lions apical of Group C and intends they only request a constituent against Slovenia connected Tuesday (20:00 BST) to guarantee a spot successful nan past 16.

Asked astir nan criticism, Southgate said: "That's nan world we're in. I'm oblivious to it, it's not important to maine astatine all.

"What's important to maine is I guideline this group of players done nan tournament. We're a precocious floor plan squad pinch expectations and we understand everything we do will beryllium scrutinised. I'm very comfortable pinch that life.

"I don't request to perceive to externals because I americium my ain biggest professional and I deliberation nan players are arsenic well.

"We cognize what we person done well, we person been very honorable astir that. We cognize wherever we request to beryllium better, we person been brutally honorable astir that, and that's really you coach a squad and amended performance."

England midfielder Declan Rice said Southgate has had "great soul discussions" pinch a group of elder players.

"Such a bully point that Gareth has pinch nan group is that we are truthful unfastened and honest," said nan 25-year-old.

"If thing is not correct connected nan transportation we will reappraisal it, spell complete it and beryllium amended for it."

Ex-England internationals Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were among those to criticise nan capacity against Denmark connected nan Rest is Football podcast, prompting skipper Harry Kane to opportunity erstwhile players should "remember what it’s for illustration to deterioration nan shirt" earlier commenting.

In response, Shearer and Lineker defended their comments, saying they are ever constructive pinch their disapproval and want nan England squad to do well.

Southgate, who has been England head since 2016, said that he whitethorn antecedently person been affected by specified comments.

"The awesome point abut being successful this occupation for a agelong clip is that I person managed to realise really to negociate myself successful nan champion way," said nan 53-year-old, who has now managed England astatine 4 awesome tournaments.

"So a fewer years agone I would person publication things, would person listened to things and it would person saddened maine and taken power from me.

"Now I person to trim myself disconnected from it. I can't put myself successful that position because you suffer focus.

"It gives maine awesome perspective. We are conscionable reasoning astir really we tin amended things. We are composed successful what we are trying to do.

"We ne'er duck wherever we are arsenic a squad and we are wished to progress."