DELIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Southgate reminds his stars that playing for England should be FUN

- JEREMY CROSS

GARETH Southgate wants his stars never to forget how much fun it is playing for England.

Which might be easier said than done, given how much stick the Three Lions have been on the wrong end of following a woeful group campaign at Euro 2024.

England have lurched into the knockout stage with little to smile or brag about.

One win, two goals and five points from three games feels like an affront to sporting entertainment.

And when Southgate led his flops over to thank those travelling fans who had not left Cologne Stadium Tuesday's stalemate with Slovenia - he was rewarded with having plastic pint pots chucked at him.

Southgate is tough enough to deflect whatever is thrown his way, but fears a negative narrative surrounding his squad will see all the years of pleasure replaced with pain. The Three Lions boss has spent eight years getting England's best players to fall in love with representing their country.