Ivan Toney has admitted that he was “annoyed” by his late introduction in the Three Lions’ 2-1 Round of 16 triumph over Slovakia at the 2024 European Championships, Soccernet.football reports.
The Brentford striker made his first appearance in the competition as a late substitute, having been an unused substitute in England’s first three games in the tournament.
England manager Gareth Southgate admitted after the game that Toney was “disgusted” by his late introduction as the striker was desperate for more time to help the team and the 28-year-old confessed to the fact with a smile on his face.
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“In that moment it was time to control your emotions,” he said. “I was annoyed but there was still 30 minutes to play. You’ve got to focus.”
“I think my face said it all,” Toney said, explaining how Southgate could tell that he was unhappy.
“Everything is sorted now, we’re friends – not like we weren’t friends – but we’re happy now and concentrating on the next game.”
Toney is desperate to leave his mark on the tournament and believes he wouldn’t be displaying the right mentality if just sitting on the bench was enough for him.
“You’re excited to come out to a tournament,” he said. “Everybody wants to play, not just myself. In the dying moments, it’s like: ‘When am I going to come on?’
“You’re looking at the clock thinking: ‘Now, now.’ The time wasn’t coming and then it came in the dying moments.
“I have seen it plenty of times when you’re on the touchline ready to come on and the ball doesn’t go out and the final whistle goes.
“But if I wasn’t annoyed sitting on the bench, then I see it as you wouldn’t have the right attitude and don’t really want to play football. When I came on to the pitch you have to stay focused and change your mindset.”
“It was eye-opening that you could be going home any minute. The relief after in the dressing room was: ‘Right, boys, it’s time to kick on.’ I think we’ve got the character and the quality of players to do so. Hopefully we can do that now.”
Toney also urged critics of the team to reunite and support the Three Lions as they push towards their goal of reaching the final, insisting that their stuttering start to the competition was nothing to worry about.
