Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Englandvs.Rep. Ireland

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 November 2024, 09:07
England captain Harry Kane has admitted that he was 'shocked' to learn that he would not be in the starting side for Thursday's UEFA Nations League against Greece in Athens.

Ollie Watkins was preferred through the middle for the key fixture in Group 2 of League B, and the Aston Villa striker found the back of the net in a 3-0 victory, with the result moving the Three Lions to the top of the section with one game left.

There had been suggestions that Kane was carrying a slight knock, with that explaining him being on the bench, but interim head coach Lee Carsley said ahead of the match that he had simply chosen Watkins over the England captain.

"It was important to give Ollie Watkins an opportunity," Carsley told ITV Sport ahead of kickoff. "To experience a night like this will be great for himself. This team needs to try and create leaders and one way to do that is give them opportunities."

Kane has admitted that he was 'shocked' by the decision', but he accepted the call from Carsley, who will take charge of his final England match against Republic of Ireland on Sunday night.

Kane is set to start for England against Republic of Ireland

"It was probably a little bit of a shock. It was about getting my head around it. But I wasn't down about it. I wasn't worried about it. I understood where Lee was coming from and I think that's part and parcel of being captain," Kane told reporters.

"I've made it clear that I want to start every game. But being a leader, you sometimes have to take things in your stride and say 'ok, I am ready to help the team."

Kane had hit out at the England withdrawals ahead of the contest, suggesting that some players had "taken advantage" of the situation to ensure that they are available for their clubs after the international break.

The Bayern Munich striker has claimed that he was 'surprised' by the amount of coverage his comments received, but he stands by his words.

"I didn't expect it to get as much coverage as it did. The November camp has always been difficult - you're in the heart of a lot of games. So it's just my opinion that it is really important after a major championship, where September, October, November camps are really important in a year ahead to the World Cup," he added.

"These are the camps as well where you build that culture and that togetherness that lead you into a World Cup. It was just a reminder that it's really, really special to play for England."

Carsley calls time with England "a brilliant experience"

Carsley has said that his time as England interim head coach has been "a brilliant experience", and he is determined to finish on a high note against Republic of Ireland.

"It's a great role, it's been a brilliant experience," Carsley told reporters on Saturday. "At times it's been tough, but the tough times have been outweighed by nights like the other night.

"You always question whether you could do it. You know, in terms of being in your comfort zone, it's something that both myself and the staff have been out of which has done us good.

"Our focus is really on tomorrow now, in terms of the future. That's my priority, making sure that we get job done tomorrow. Fully respectful of Ireland and the strengths that they have, so we have to make sure that we approach the game properly."

Any win for England over Republic of Ireland would secure top spot in Group 2 of League B and bring promotion to League A, but a draw or a defeat would open the door for Greece to snatch first position.

Show more

Top News

25 March 2025 talksport.com Former England manager Glenn Hoddle was impressed by Morgan Rogers' 'wonderful' performance against Latvia. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Mark Clattenburg has opened up on the explosive interactions he shared with some of the Premier League's most iconic managers. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Former Tottenham Hotspur and current Anderlecht defender Jan Vertonghen has confirmed that he will be retiring from football at the end of the season. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Dan Ashworth is set to make a surprise return to the FA after leaving Manchester United. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly aware what it will take to sign Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni during the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly identified five potential replacements for defender Jules Kounde. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England Women's head coach Sarina Wiegman has confirmed a 25-player squad for April's UEFA Nations League fixtures against Belgium. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to listen to offers for one of their international midfielders. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Dean Holden has heaped praise on Steven Gerrard's managerial expertise after working under him in Saudi Arabia. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Simon Jordan believes Trent Alexander-Arnold is 'fortunate' to be joining Real Madrid. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Gareth Ainsworth has agreed a deal to become the new Gillingham manager, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Alisha Lehmann has insisted there's a 'huge difference' between the standards of women's football pitches in England and Italy. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Steve Bruce has admitted he did not get on 'very well' with Dwight Gayle at Newcastle. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool look set for a summer of upheaval as three of their key players may depart Anfield at the end of the season. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Pablo Sarabia is seemingly increasingly likely to depart Wolverhampton Wanderers during the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed to join Real Madrid this summer, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified two alternatives to Jadon Sancho ahead of the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Reece James admitted that his muted celebration was due to his surprise that his free-kick resulted in a goal. 25 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT fans have settled the never-ending 'Club vs Country' debate. 25 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest football news as some blockbuster transfer news breaks this morning. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong have reportedly entered talks over a new contract after the Dutchman decided that he wanted to stay at Camp Nou. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lille striker Jonathan David has once again commented on his future amid talk of a potential free transfer to either Manchester United, Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is apparently in direct contact with Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold's expected move to Real Madrid. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is reportedly open to a move to Turkish side Galatasaray should his team be relegated from the Premier League. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Azerbaijan vs. Belarus (Tuesday, 5.45pm) Azerbaijan will be bidding to bounce back from a shock defeat when they host Belarus in a friendly on Tuesday night. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Moldova vs. Estonia (Tuesday, 5.00pm) At least one of Moldova and Estonia will collect their first points of World Cup 2026 Qualifying when they lock horns at Stadionul Zimbru on Tuesday evening. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Endrick has hinted at a possible Real Madrid exit after he revealed he fears his lack of playing time could cost him a place in Brazil's World Cup squad. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are reportedly prepared to axe 10 players as part of Ruben Amorim's squad rebuild this summer. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly agreed personal terms with Spanish giants with Real Madrid.