Roy Hodgson wants England players to sing national anthem before games

England manager Roy Hodgson prepares to board the team plane

England boss Roy Hodgson has asked his men to show some patriotism and sing the national anthem before all their World Cup games. The 66-year-old wants his players, especially the new ones, to feel proud of wearing the Three Lions shirt and thinks that they will get emotionally charged by singing God Save The Queen.

Before the Three Lions departed for Miami Hodgson said: “You very rarely play an international match against opponents who haven’t got their hands on their hearts and singing their anthem as loud as they can. And we’ve made a decision that’s what we’re going to do, too.

“We are proud and we are happy to be wearing that England shirt. We are proud to be England players and, in my case, England manager. So when the National Anthem comes up it’s an obvious one for me that we sing it. Let’s do what every other team does.”

Singing the national anthem before games is nothing new for the England players as Hodgson made the practice mandatory during Euro 2012.

“We made the decision very early on,’ added Hodgson. ‘They’ve been doing it for two years and perhaps we need to remind them, as the squad has changed so much. I don’t know if they all sang it against Peru but I hope they will.

“We’re great until the second verse comes along because we don’t really know that!”

Hodgson’s assisstant Ray Lewington agreed with his boss and said:”The first time I did it, I surprised myself. I’m not emotional but it really got to me.”