Roy Keane came to England’s defence (Photo: ITV/Reuters)
Roy Keane came to England’s defence after their victory over Slovakia in the Euro 2024 last 16 was undermined by another poor performance.
England were on the verge of suffering an embarrassing exit from the Euros on Sunday evening after Ivan Schranz put Slovakia ahead in the 25th minute.
But Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick in the 95th minute sent the game to extra-time, where Harry Kane headed in the winner to send the Three Lions to the quarter-finals.
Yet again, Gareth Southgate’s side were unconvincing and underwhelming with the manager heavily reluctant to make substitutions, though those he did bring on changed the course of the game.
ITV pundits and England heroes Ian Wright and Gary Neville were relived at the result but not impressed with the performance, however Keane saw the upside.
‘Sometimes after a game you reflect on it. I know the lads will probably [disagree], you talk about performances, but also at this level it is about getting over the line and winning,’ the Ireland and Manchester United legend said.
‘Everyone wants a great performance, but if they keep getting results and going through? The next game always seems tough for you and if you perform like that you’re going to go out.
England got the job done. Just… (Photo: Getty)
‘But lets see how they go. You have to give them praise. We were very critical at halftime, but they found a way to win.
‘The top players found a moment. God help us when Bellingham starts playing well, but he produced huge moments and they’re getting over the line.
‘You have to give credit where it’s due. They found a way to win, you have to give them credit for that. Some of the greatest satisfaction I’ve had in my career is where you didn’t play well but you win a game of football.’
His mood was contrary to that of an exasperated Wright who said: ‘You look forward to the next game but you don’t look forward to it with any real… you don’t look forward to it thinking, “yes we’re doing this, we are playing well”.
Is it time for Cole Palmer to start? (Photo: Getty)
‘It feels like just moments but what we do need is some structure. Are we going to bring another individual? Are we gonna say it’s his turn now?
‘At some stage we’re going to have to find a way to beat teams, playing through teams. We need to be better.’
England will now take on Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday, but Neville says it is ‘unrealistic’ to expect the Three Lions to win Euro 2024 based on their performances thus far.
‘Everybody in the country has been crying out for more change after every single match,’ the United legend said.
‘The same clamour will happen again for Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold, for other players to come in to create more balance and more excitement.
‘Getting over the line and winning is all important in tournaments but to think you can go through a one month tournament playing the way we are doing is unrealistic.’
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