Gareth Southgate explains full-back changes for Scotland clash

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By Conor Laird

Published: June 18, 2021 7:56 pm

Last Updated: June 18, 2021 8:06 pm

England boss Gareth Southgate has, on Friday evening, provided an explanation for his decision to shake things up at full-back for his side’s meeting with Scotland.

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Rivals reunite

The marquee Euros fixture of the day is of course set to play out at Wembley shortly.

The clash in question will see England play host to Scotland, in the 2nd round of Group D fixtures.

Both sides will head into proceedings with their eyes firmly set on three points, with the Three Lions aiming to build on an opening day downing of Croatia, to book their place in the knockout rounds.

Scotland, on the other hand, are desperate for a bounce-back result, after being put to the sword by a Patrik Schick-inspired Czech Republic.

WHAT. A. GOAL.

Patrik Schick scores for the Czech Republic from the halfway line.#SCO 0-2 #CZE

📲💻📺 Watch live: https://t.co/XJ464KbERY #bbceuros #euro2020 pic.twitter.com/p8DjWwZeVQ

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 14, 2021

‘Technical ability’

Ahead of the action getting underway, meanwhile, the starting line-ups set to take to the pitch for both nations were unveiled a short time ago.

Steve Clarke’s visitors will set up as follows, with the likes of Kieran Tierney, Billy Gilmour and Che Adams back in from the off:

Your Scotland team taking on England this evening.

Come on, lads!#EURO2020 | #SCO pic.twitter.com/BzCdZuCug7

— Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 18, 2021

Gareth Southgate has also opted for changes, chiefly, as outlined above, at full-back.

Both Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker, who started in England’s opening day meeting with Croatia, drop out of the Three Lions’ line-up, with the latter not even included on the bench.

Stepping in, much to the delight of the England faithful, are the pairing of Luke Shaw and Reece James.

In turn, speaking in a pre-match interview ahead of the action getting underway in London, Southgate was inevitably drawn on his decision to shake things up.

And the former Middlesbrough boss went on to cite the technical ability boasted by Shaw and James as key, explaining:

‘We think their technical ability with the ball is important for this game.’

‘We were really pleased with the full-backs in the last game but we have a really good depth in that area of the pitch.’

Gareth Southgate explains why he made two England changes to team that beat Croatiahttps://t.co/SMgrNu73aU pic.twitter.com/RPhhTThNnn

— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) June 18, 2021