Wayne Rooney told Sky Sports News on Monday morning that he expects Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish to start for England when they take on Scotland this Friday.
The Villa playmaker was an unused substitute during England’s 1-0 win over Croatia in their Euro 2020 opener on Sunday.
Many were hoping to see the boyhood Villa fan start yesterday’s match, however, not only was he benched, but he didn’t even come onto the pitch.
Rooney, on the other hand, would like to see more of Grealish’s talents and he thinks he will start against the Scots in a few days time.
“I would have liked to have seen Jack Grealish today,” said Rooney. “He’s a player who is going to grow during this competition and he will be an important player for England.
“I can see a couple of changes for the Scotland game. I think Grealish will probably come in and start.
“But I think they will be a bit more relaxed on Friday, whereas if they didn’t win then it would have been more anxious.”
The Scotland game is going to be a different kettle of fish, and rather than setting up to try and win the ball back, like England did against Croatia, it will be more of a case of trying to break the old enemy down.
That then requires a different quality of player and someone who has the ability to carry the ball in tight areas, create chances and win fouls in dangerous areas.
It’s pretty difficult to work out who in this England squad can do that because he seems oblivious to Southgate? But if that individual doesn’t get the minutes on Friday then questions will be asked.
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