Gareth Southgate pays tribute to Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings after England debut

Add as preferred source on Google

England manager Gareth Southgate spoke in glowing terms about Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings after his mature performance on his Three Lions debut.

As per the Mirror, former Villa man Southgate was keen to praise the £25,000-a-week (Spotrac) star for his display in the 6-0 thrashing of Bulgaria, where he was subjected to racial abuse.

He said: “I have been watching him for the past 12 months or so. He’s displayed outstanding leadership qualities throughout that time. I thought I would see that tonight and I saw that tonight. He’s an impressive young man.

“That worldly wiseness showed tonight. Incredibly mature performance. The level of opponent often isn’t the issue with playing for England. It’s being able to handle wearing an England shirt. even after the game, he’s spoken brilliantly as well. So, I couldn’t be happier with him or for him.”

TBR’s View – Mings has the confidence to handle playing for England

The modern era has seen a different profile of player coming through to play for England; Jamie Vardy led the way but so many of their current crop have played lower down the pyramid.

Mings has come from even lower but that provides him with a sense of confidence when he pulls on the England shirt – and perhaps a sense of perspective too.

He is supremely confident in his own ability and can motivate and organise his team-mates – which puts him ahead of Manchester United academy product Michael Keane in the current pecking order.