England players told they are expected to start winning trophies by Southgate

Gareth Southgate has told his England players they are now expected to start winning trophies.

Southgate has taken pride in watching them take strides in reaching the World Cup semi final and finals of the Nations League tournament.

But the Three Lions boss insists they have now turned up the pressure on themselves because they have to take the next step and start securing silverware.

England begin their new Nations League campaign in Iceland on Saturday before building up to next summer’s European Championships, when the expectation levels will be even higher as the final will be hosted at Wembley.

Three Lions boss Southgate said: “We have had a good run of two or three years now and to just get where we did before won’t be received with as many accolades as we had in the past.

“The team has to acknowledge that but they are hungry for that. That is why Raheem (Sterling) and Harry (Kane) being here signals that intent and signals the desire to take every opportunity they can to play for England, but also to win things with England.

“We always have to measure what our internal targets are and how bold we go publicly. There is a balance there of not heaping pressure on the team but accepting there is expectation on the team.”

It is also England’s first game since last November because of the coronavirus pandemic and Southgate even admitted he has felt a bit rusty since coming back to prepare for the double header with Iceland and Denmark.

Southgate added: “You’re absolutely right, it was only two weeks ago we came back to the office for the first time never mind the coaching pitch because our organisation has their offices closed. So just to step out of the house, walking around in masks and all the restrictions has felt change.”