ROY KEANE was left unconvinced by Gareth Southgate’s latest comments on the state of the England squad.
The Three Lions will face Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals tonight.
Despite making it to the last eight, Southgate and his team have failed to impress on the pitch.
England topped Group C following a narrow 1-0 win over Serbia and successive draws against Denmark and Slovenia.
And they scraped through the round-of-16 with a 2-1 victory over Slovakia thanks to late heroics from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
Southgate has received heavy criticism from many fans due to the team’s poor performances.
But in his latest press conference he insisted there is a new “buzz” in the squad.
The 53-year-old said: “I feel that the team, even in training, now look in a different place mentally, they look more fluid.
“The longer the players are here, the more belief they have, the less they are being affected by what’s outside. They can see the opportunity.
“Every game can take you on a journey, like the game the other night. We have to deliver tomorrow, we have to be ready to go until the last minute again, dig deep in the moments that you have to.
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“They are highly motivated guys and can see the possibility of a semi-final. There is a buzz about them and they are excited to take that challenge on.”
He also revealed that despite the criticism, he is not worried about losing his job, adding: “When I was a young manager you are worried if the first job doesn’t go well you will never get another job. You worry about failing and getting the sack.
“I’m older, I’m not worried about losing, what might go wrong. We have an opportunity tomorrow to get to another semi-final. It’s about going for it now.”
However, Manchester United legend Keane – who has been working for ITV Sport throughout the Euros – was not convinced by Southgate’s collected response.
He said: “He’s talking about enjoying it – he doesn’t look like he’s enjoying this!
“I suppose so [he wants to get on with the next match] yeah.
“But if he’s talking about the group enjoying it, my kids always say to me ‘are you happy?’ and I always say ‘yeah’ but then they say ‘let your face know!’
“It’s unlike Gareth. We’ve praised Gareth many times over the years.
“And again we go back to people who are criticising the tactics, the decisions and whatever, that’s always going to be there.
“I think Gareth is big enough and ugly enough to deal with that stuff.”
Southgate is set to make some changes to his starting line-up tonight.
Ezri Konsa is set to come in for Marc Guehi, who is suspended.
He will likely be part of a back-three alongside John Stones and Kyle Walker.
Kieran Trippier is set to change over to the right, with Bukayo Saka playing as a left wing-back.
And Phil Foden could move inside next to Bellingham in midfield.
