Declan Rice has vowed that the England players “will do anything to protect” manager Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions squeezed into the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win against Slovakia on Sunday.
Southgate had come under increasing criticism for his side’s underwhelming performances in Germany despite their tag as pre-tournament favourites.
Angry supporters threw cups onto the pitch following a dismal draw with Slovenia in the final group game, with Southgate later admitting his team were operating in an “unusual environment” up against so much criticism.
There have been calls for sweeping changes but Southgate largely ignored them and looked set for an embarrassing exit to Slovakia after Ivan Schranz had given them the lead 25 minutes in.
England were as bad as they have been all tournament but a stunning late goal from Jude Bellingham sent the game to extra-time, during which Harry Kane’s early header eventually settled the contest.
It means Southgate lives to fight another day and will lead his team into a quarter-final with Switzerland on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Rice said: "We've got a togetherness, we proved that tonight.
“We'd do anything to protect this manager, protect each other.
"We'll keep going and keep fighting and what we've got as a group tonight showed out there. It's an honour to be a part of it and we're going to give it everything."
