Gareth Southgate Quotes

There is always a pressure if you play every game and especially when you are representing your country.

All you can do when you are given a chance to play for England is to go out against whoever that opponent may be and do it very well. And if you do that, you get yourself in the forefront of the manager's mind.

To be in the England squad, you have got to be playing well and your standards have got to be up there.

Every time I join the Selecao I try to maintain my good form and prove why I was called up.

Every young lad's dream is to play for England, but when you get the chance, there's bound to be pressure and a few nerves.

Playing for England was one long roller-coaster: some ups and downs, but also quite a few moments when you're not really sure if you're enjoying the ride.

I've just enjoyed playing for England - it's an amazing job.

Look at Bjorn Borg or Jack Nicklaus. Those guys really concentrate. With the world on their shoulders, they're so absorbed with what they're doing.

As for my personal ambitions, I always loved playing for England and always felt I did well.

Whether Under-17 level, the 21s, or senior team, it's my dream to play for England as often as I can.

Playing for England is the most important thing in my life.

I never enjoyed being the star-man because as soon as you become the focal point of the team, you assume an extra burden of responsibility.

Playing for England is always the main priority.

Everyone goes through those stretches. Everyone you talk to in this game, old coaches, old teammates, old players, whatnot, they all have those, 'Oh, I was 0-for-25, I was 0-for-30 one time.' I just try to not to get it that far, get it to that point and take it one at-bat as a time.

Ever since I was kid, I dreamed of playing for England.

Playing for the national team, you are aware that a whole country wants you to succeed, but you mustn't get side-tracked.

That's what international football is all about - be able to bounce after a bad performance.

It's so important to be chosen for the national team. For the Copa America, for the World Cup, or just friendly matches, it's such an honour to reach that stage and be chosen for the team. People expect players to wear Brazil's shirt, win the title with pride, and keep winning. You have to have the mental strength to get over this pressure.

If I'm called up by any England team, I'm willing to go. I'm not going to pull out of any England team. Ask any young kid who wants to play for their national team, and everyone's the same. We're all dying to do it.

That is what all the top players do and if you want to be the best you know you are going to get marked.

When you play for United, you have to perform every week.

It is everyone's dream to play for England and we have got a lot of top players in that midfield and lot of competition. For me to break in there, I have got to keep the form up for club at the top level.

I've often said it's not just the level of your opponent: it's can you handle wearing the shirt and playing for England?

It's still my ambition to be at the top level and be playing for England - especially, like, a competition like the World Cup.

I was a fan like everybody else, even before I got called up for Scotland.