England WERE fired up by Wales jibes ahead of key Euro 2016 clash as Joe Hart apologises for Gareth Bale free-kick error
- Wales were very vocal in the build-up to the Euro 2016 'Battle of Britain'
- Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey questioned England players' passion
- Though Roy Hodgson played it down, behind the scenes the comments bit
England players WERE motivated by the derogatory jibes made by Wales players in the lead up to Thursday’s Battle of Britain.
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were among the Welsh players to make disparaging comments about England in the lead up to the clash in Lens.
Roy Hodgson and his men were at pains to play down the trash talk ahead of the Euro 2016 encounter.
England keeper Joe Hart kisses the badge on his shirt following his side's Euro 2016 win over Wales
Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy both scored having been brought on at half-time with England 1-0 down
Roy Hodgson revelled in putting Wales in their place after super-sub Sturridge fired England to victory
But, behind the scenes, the remarks had certainly not gone unnoticed by the England party.
It is understood players exchanged texts discussing the surprising comments from the Wales cam
Indeed, the far from complimentary statements were openly discussed by players in the build-up to the clash.
Of course, whether talk from Bale and Co had a direct impact on England’s performance is debatable.
Wayne Rooney refused to get caught up in Wales' pre-match antics and praised Chris Coleman's side
But it certainly reinforced their desire to get the right result against Chris Coleman’s team.
England woke up back at their Chantilly base yesterday morning safe in the knowledge that their place in the last 16 is virtually secure.
Some players enjoyed a round of golf in nearby Lamorlaye, while others spent time with family and friends.
Wales star man Gareth Bale tried to goad the England players in the build-up to the game in Lens
Those who did not start Thursday’s win trained at their Chantilly training ground. A quiz night at the team hotel was scheduled for Friday night.
Meanwhile, Joe Hart apologised to his team-mates for his error that cost England the opening goal on Thursday.
The goalkeeper should have saved Bale’s free-kick towards the end of the first half, but Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge bailed their team-mate out with two second half goals.
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey was full of chatter before England's 2-1 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis
‘I said to him, he didn’t need to, but he felt he could have saved it, so he apologised, that’s football, these things happen and I’m just pleased that the team rallied around,’ revealed manager Roy Hodgson.
‘And he’s part of our team and I’m sure that he’s as much of a part of our victory as much as anyone else and maybe relieved that we didn’t lose the game 1-0 when the focus would have been on him and if he could have saved it.
‘No-one in the dressing room had anything negative to say to him. They said: "Forget it, Joe, let’s get out and win the game in the second half”.
