Jack Grealish joked he was tempted to shoot instead of cross to Harry Kane after the Aston Villa talisman created the Tottenham’s striker’s first goal of Euro 2020. The Villa talisman already had a hand in Raheem Sterling’s opener but showed his brilliance again for Kane’s goal with a pinpoint cross that the Spurs forward tucked home. That sealed a 2-0 win for Gareth Southgate’s men who now face Ukraine or Sweden in the quarter-finals in what was a brilliant night for the Three Lions. And speaking to the BBC after the game, Villa star Grealish, who came on as a second-half substitute, was delighted to help Kane get off the mark.
Jack Grealish said: “It’s been hard for H. He’s our most talked about player, probably our best player. It’s difficult because teams will double up on him and try to get him out of the game. When it opened up at the end, when Luke gave me the ball, I was going to shoot! I’ve seen H in the box so I obviously crossed it for him.”
Grealish received a wonderful ovation when he came on for Bukayo Saka in the second half amid growing clamour from England fans that he starts the quarter-final. England fans were dismayed to learn that Grealish had been left out of the starting line-up, but after his brilliant cameo, Southgate is facing increasing pressure to start the midfielder. Asked what it’s like being the centre of attention,
Jack Grealish said: “I love it. It’s part of the game. If you’re getting talked about you’re obviously doing something well. I take it in my stride and it was an unbelievable feeling to have the fans sing my name. I’ve said before this is weird because I usually have these fans booing me. When they’re cheering me and singing my song there’s nothing more I want to do than pay them back with goals and assists. Hopefully my goal comes soon.”
Grealish said Southgate had given him advice as to what he wanted to see from him when he came on after 69 minutes.
Jack Grealish said: “He (Southgate) told me to go on and express myself, to play the way I normally do with a smile on my face. I did that and luckily for me I created one of the goals.”
After the match, Grealish took to social media to give his reaction to the game.
Jack Grealish wrote: “England 2-0 Germany! What a day Fans were UNBELIEVABLE.”
