Young talent excites Gary Neville

KIEV, UKRAINE – JUNE 24: Manager Roy Hodgson of England and coach Gary Neville look on prior to the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter final match between England and Italy at The Olympic Stadium on June 24, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

England coach Gary Neville admits that the quality of young talent that the Three Lions have at their disposal is brilliant. The former Manchester United defender, who was included in the coaching staff by manager Roy Hodgson, named players like Sturridge, Smalling, Wilshere etc and believes they will get their chance to shine under Hodgson. Neville said:

“This squad is the second or third youngest in the tournament. And there are young players to come. (Jack) Wilshere, (Kyle) Walker, (Chris) Smalling, (Daniel) Sturridge, and we would like to see more.

“They will get their opportunity in this next couple of years. We know that the manager talks about them and wants to bring them in.”

Neville, who made 85 appearances for England, revealed that the current squad is much more behaved and organized. He added:

“I believe it is a squad without ego. They are all working for one another and you can see that on the pitch. The greatest demonstration of that spirit is the way in which they play for each other and fought for each other.

“There is no star in the group. We have got big characters in the dressing-room but they are all fighting for the cause. They’ll have to continue to do that.”

Despite the animosity between Manchester United and Liverpool, the 35-year-old was all praise for Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard. He added:

“Gerrard is an absolutely brilliant football player. I’ve said that for 10 or 12 years. You can’t live with him when he runs forward. He can get to players when he runs back. He’s the one who can be at the edge of the box shooting. He can be back at your own box defending, heading it clear.

“He is a complete football player. He is at a good age: 32 is a great age. You’re at that point when you just haven’t quite gone over the hill. You actually feel fully matured and experienced.”