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Gareth Southgate was delighted with his players\u2019 commitment, togetherness and mentality over the last week as England continue to build towards their goal of winning Euro 2024.<\/p>\n
Having reached the final of the last edition and impressed in December\u2019s World Cup quarter-final exit to France, the focus is on finally getting their hands on silverware in Germany next summer.<\/p>\n
Winning their first four Group C matches means it has long been a case of when rather than if England seal their place at the finals, but Saturday\u2019s drab 1-1 qualification draw against Ukraine brought criticism.<\/p>\n
Southgate\u2019s side bounced back with a slick 3-1 friendly win over old foes Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday, bringing a successful camp came to a victorious end.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re building all the time,\u201d the England manager said. \u201cWe want to keep improving, we keep pushing the players.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019ve been able to experiment a bit this week as well. Two new centre-backs (Marc Guehi and Lewis Dunk) have come in, relatively inexperienced, and both done really well.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut some of our senior players are so influential \u2013 (Kyle) Walker and (Kieran) Trippier were absolutely outstanding (against Scotland).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe impact of our senior players on this group just can\u2019t be underestimated.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, a lot of the headlines will go to some of our younger players and understandably so, but the way that the group form and the way they are as a team is key to getting the types of performance we have (last night).\u201d<\/p>\n
Southgate\u2019s team are among the favourites to win next summer\u2019s Euros and former international Joe Cole called this side the best England team he has seen his lifetime.<\/p>\n
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\u201cEverybody else can assess that,\u201d the manager said when that was put to him after their impressive Hampden Park triumph.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we want to keep pushing the players.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really pleased with the week. If you\u2019d said to me before the game, \u2018How\u2019s the week been?\u2019 I\u2019d have said, \u2018Excellent\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe players have been fully committed, encouraged each other, trained really well, responded well to a disappointing performance but a really important and good result in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted the sort of mentality that we showed, and they produced that. They were absolutely excellent (at Hampden).\u201d<\/p>\n
It was an impressive team effort with Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham at its heart in Mount Florida.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old played a role in Phil Foden\u2019s opener and three minutes later fired home his second international goal.<\/p>\n
Bellingham did not stop there as he capped a man-of-the-match display with a fine assist for Harry Kane after Harry Maguire\u2019s own goal temporarily gave Hampden hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, he was excellent,\u201d Southgate said of the young midfielder. \u201cWe thought that position might cause a problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, we knew we needed athleticism there to press Scotland because their midfield players can dictate games if you allow them, so that was that was key.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we knew the way we played the system might create a bit of an overload and his powerful running forwards with Marcus (Rashford) as well, in particular when Harry was dropping low and Phil was dropping low, that gave us a real outlet.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, it was a nice balance to the team with Kalvin (Phillips) and Dec (Rice) doing a brilliant job of mopping up, destroying things and keeping the ball ticking over well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Players now return to club matters before convening next month for a Wembley friendly against Australia and qualifier under the arch against Euro 2020 winners Italy.<\/p>\n
The Group C leaders\u2019 advantage at the top could be cut to three points by the time they host the Azzurri, but bookmakers\u2019 odds of 1-250 on England to qualify for Euro 2024 highlights their position of strength.<\/p>\n
Scotland are also on the cusp of qualification having won their first five qualifiers.<\/p>\n
Steve Clarke\u2019s men would have even qualified on Tuesday had Norway and Georgia drawn, but instead the wait continues as they head to second-placed Spain next month looking respond to a deflating loss to the Auld Enemy.<\/p>\n
Put to Southgate that there appears to be a big gap between England and Scotland, he said: \u201cNo, I just think, look, we played exceptionally well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were able to nullify a lot of the threats that Scotland pose, so it was a really good performance from us.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Scottish fans should be really proud of how their team are going and the job Steve\u2019s doing.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI\u2019m sure there\u2019ll be a huge reaction to the result, but we\u2019ve just said that for three days and I\u2019m sure Steve\u2019s sensible enough to keep calm about that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe played well, we\u2019ve won the game, but on another night that can look very different.\u201d<\/p>\n