2 days ago
England midfielder Declan Rice has insisted that he and his world team-mates stay afloat supportive of manager Gareth Southgate.
Southgate's profession arsenic Three Lions leader almost ended successful a humiliating nonaccomplishment to Slovakia successful nan information of 16 astatine Euro 2024 connected Sunday night.
However, a stunning 95th-minute equaliser by Jude Bellingham saved nan time and forced other time, aft which England yet prevailed 2-1.
Southgate has faced wide nationalist disapproval for his squad action and tactical rigidity this summer, pinch his broadside still yet to nutrient a convincing capacity pursuing games against Serbia, Denmark, Slovenia and now Slovakia.
However, England are still unbeaten astatine nan Euros, just, and Southgate's players are staying loyal to their boss, according to Rice.
Declan Rice pictured (right) hugging Gareth Southgate aft England hit Slovakia 2-1
England would person been retired of Euro 2024 were it not for a precocious extremity by Jude Bellingham (left)
Speaking to BBC Sport aft Sunday's melodramatic victory, Rice reflected: 'I cannot picture nan emotion representing England successful nan European Championship information of 16, you look up astatine nan timepiece and you deliberation "we could beryllium going location here."
'Players are saying that to each different pinch 1 infinitesimal to spell and location is that soul conflict and tone successful us.
'We person sewage that togetherness tonight, we'll do thing to protect this manager. [We will] support going and support fighting, it is an honour to beryllium a portion of it – we are going to support going.'
Rice - who was involved successful a post-game spat pinch Slovakia manager Francesco Calzona - later praised England's opposition.
Southgate (right) has travel nether occurrence this summertime but Rice says nan players stay supportive
Rice was visibly thrilled aft helping nan Three Lions flooded a reliable trial against Slovakia
'We are not playing against invisible men,' he added. 'They are apical footballers, they kept going aft us. It is astir waiting for those moments arsenic nan crippled sewage stretched we created more.
'The fans coming I cannot speak highly capable of them. So grateful they are each present to acquisition that.'
