Ivan Toney has responded to Gareth Southgate’s assertion that the Brentford striker was “disgusted” to be substituted in injury time during England’s last-16 match against Slovakia at Euro 2024.
Toney did not appear in either of the Three Lions’ group games, and it appeared like he would be leaving Germany after just appearing for a few seconds, with England down when he was introduced in the 94th minute in Gelsenkirchen.
Toney was given an extra half-hour of playing time after Jude Bellingham’s acrobatic equaliser, and in the opening minute of extra time, the 28-year-old helped Harry Kane’s winning goal by sending a looping header across the box for the Bayern Munich striker to head home.
Southgate suggested after the match that Toney was unhappy to be hauled on with little time remaining, and Toney confirmed that he has been disgruntled by his lack of game time at the tournament.
“It’s always going to be tough,” Toney said during a press conference ahead of England’s quarter-final against Switzerland. “It’s tough for all of us as we play week in, week out for our clubs. I have been in this position before and when I get an opportunity I’ll take it.
Ivan Toney record for England (accurate as of July 3) | |
---|---|
Appearances | 4 |
Goals | 1 |
Assists | 1 |
“At my club, there is a guy called Michael Caufield [a sports psychologist] and he talks about controlling your emotions. Yes, I was annoyed but there was still 30 minutes of football to play [including extra-time] and you have got to come out of that mood and focus. I feel like, people call them substitutes, others finishers. I think you have to be ready and there’s more than 11 players needed to win a tournament.”
Toney spoke to the media on Wednesday after left-back Luke Shaw was removed from media duties. Shaw, who has yet to play in the tournament due to injury, was supposed to take questions from reporters but was replaced by Toney late in the day.
Shaw has not played a competitive match since February, and after naming the left-back to England’s provisional 33-man squad for the tournament, Three Lions manager Southgate claimed the Manchester United star was unlikely to make the final selection.
Shaw, however, was not one of the seven players cut by Southgate prior of the tournament, and he headed to Germany as England’s only natural left-back. Kieran Trippier has deputised in all four of England’s games so far, but has struggled, and Shaw might replace him against Switzerland this weekend.
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