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Gary Lineker makes big England prediction after Czech Republic thrashing
GARY LINEKER believes that England WILL win an international tournament in the near future.
Gary Lineker, England’s all-time third highest goalscorer, reckons that the Three Lions crop will achieve international glory in a future tournament.
Lineker made the claims after Gareth Southgate’s side cruised to a 5-0 victory over Czech Republic on Friday evening.
Three goals from Raheem Sterling and a Harry Kane penalty were enough to excite fans at Wembley, before a Tomas Kalas own-goal added gloss to the scoreline.
Jason Sancho impressed with an assist on his first competitive start, while youth prospects Declan Rice and Callum Hudson-Odoi were handed their debuts from the bench.
The three new stars coupled with more experienced internationals such as Kane, Sterling and Harry Maguire - have left Lineker full of confidence, prompting a bold claim on Twitter.
He wrote: ”So many wonderfully talented players coming through.
"Never thought I’d say this but I reckon England will win something."
The next chance for Gareth Southgate’s side to lift a trophy is this summer’s Nations League finals in Portugal, where England will face the Netherlands before a possible final with Switzerland or the hosts.
I think he’s a role model for the younger players coming in
Southgate was full of praise for hat-trick hero Sterling on Friday night, who has taken his England goal tally to seven.
“I’ve put him into the leadership group that we have,” he said.
“I think he’s showing those signs, I think he’s a role model for the younger players coming in.
“He’s really focused on his training and his preparation and I think he’s enjoyed that extra responsibility as well.
“We can’t hide from the fact that he’s had difficult moments with England and he’s turned that full circle.
“I also think the goals in Spain were an important moment for him. You could see the release that had brought.
“And his finishes there and tonight were finishes that he was just taking on without thinking too much.
“I know he’s spoken about that before, of how he’s added that incentive to his game and I thought he was devastating tonight.”