Gareth Southgate gives his verdict on Lineker’s expletive England criticism

Gareth Southgate gives his verdict on Lineker's expletive England criticismSource: Reuters

Transcript

00:00Well, I wouldn't agree with that.

00:04Could I have your reaction to Gary Lineker's comments?

00:08And also, you've obviously been criticised, faced criticism throughout your career,

00:12but this felt a little bit different.

00:14Is that maybe a danger of such prominent figures having their own channels?

00:19I haven't heard what he said.

00:23You can. I mean, Fay in the interview used one word.

00:27That's all I've heard.

00:31A prominent figure like that, criticising the England team like that,

00:36that seems unusual. That's not what you've had to face before.

00:41Well, I wouldn't agree with that.

00:45Look, that's the world we're in.

00:48I'm oblivious to it. It's not important to me at all.

00:52As I said, what's important to me is that I've got to guide this group of players

01:00confidently through the terrain that is a tournament.

01:04We're a high-profile team with expectations,

01:08and we fully understand everything we do is going to be scrutinised.

01:12So I'm very comfortable living that life.

01:16But I don't need to engage in external, because I'm my own biggest critic,

01:20and I think our players are as well.

01:23So there's nothing to be gained from us that's going to help improve us,

01:27listening to external criticism.