KEEP CALM & CARRY ON

Defiant Southgate still leading from the front

- JEREMY CROSS

GARETH SOUTHGATE admits he has never shirked a challenge as England boss.

And he won’t change tomorrow when he leads England into battle with favourites Spain hoping to win the nation’s first men’s trophy since 1966.

Southgate’s roller-coaster ride as manager has been encapsulated by his journey through to the showpiece game of Euro 2024.

His personal nadir came when he was pelted with plastic pint pots by his own fans in the wake of the dismal draw with Slovenia in the group stages.

Southgate feared his dream of leading England to Euros glory this summer was about to unravel.

But he wasn’t going to let a few drunken thugs steer him off course – and wanted to lead from the front to set the example to his squad.

He said: “There was a danger, but I was determined to confront it.

“When the beer came over, I was going to go and walk towards it, because we’ve fought too hard to change the environment for the players.