Southgate urges England stars to be brave against Malta

England interim manager says he expects England to control their game against Malta at Wembley this evening

8 October 2016, 8:54am

2 min read

Gareth Southgate will take charge of England for the first time against Malta this evening.

England’s interim manager Gareth Southgate has called on his players to be brave and exciting in their match against Malta at Wembley this evening.

“I keep hearing what English players can’t do, but I’ve seen what they can do,” Southgate said ahead of the game. “I want them to go and show it. I expect us to control the game.”

Southgate hailed England fans after it was revealed that the match, which will start at 5pm BST is a sell-out.

“I am hugely excited by the match. The sell-out crowd shows what England means to the supporters and I don’t think any country in the world will have a crowd like ours this weekend. My pride in leading the team is echoed by the players’ desire to do well. It has shone through how much they want to make the country proud. I believe over the next few years they will.”

Southgate did not confirm his team, other than to confirm that Wayne Rooney will captain the side and that Arsenal forward Theo Walcott will be in the starting 11.

The former Middlesbrough manager called on the rest of his players to take the pressure off Wayne Rooney, England’s all-time leading goalscorer.

“We’re putting too much emphasis on one person. If these guys are going to be a successful team, that’s got to be shared. These guys have to be given the opportunity to lead, to grow even if it’s not a comfortable situation. They have to take responsibility. All 11 guys on the field will succeed if they do as well as they can together.”

England won their opening Group F World Cup qualifier against Slovakia 1-0 on 4 September, Sam Allardyce's only game in charge before he left his post by mutual agreement following his controversial comments on player transfer rulings.

Malta have played three football games against England and have lost all three of them. The most recent game was an international friendly in June 2000, when England won 2-1. Martin Keown and Emile Heskey had scored England’s goals, while Malta’s goal had come courtesy of an own goal by goalkeeper Richard Wright.