Ivan Toney has said that he had “the hump” with Gareth Southgate for benching him until the 94th minute of England’s thrilling victory over Slovakia.
He also acknowledges that being a substitute at Euro 2024 has been “tough.” The Three Lions seemed headed for a miserable last-16 departure as they stumbled in their attempt to get a vital equalizer following Ivan Schranz’s goal at Gelsenkirchen’s Arena AufSchalke in the 25th minute.
However, Toney replaced Phil Foden in the fourth minute of stoppage time, and a few minutes later, Jude Bellingham forced extra time by breaking through England’s defensive shell with an incredible bicycle kick.
Just 51 seconds into the extra 30 minutes of play, Harry Kane gave his team the lead for the first time in the game. The header proved to be the game-winning goal, as Southgate’s team held on to secure a quarterfinal matchup with Switzerland.
Soon after the game, Southgate stated that Toney, who set up Kane’s game-winning goal with his physicality and caused issues for the opposition, was “disgusted” by his choice to wait until well into injury time to be inserted.
Following the match, the head coach of England remarked, “It’s strange, but I never felt tonight would be the end of our tournament.”
“There is hope even with the long throw you experienced; we can create some havoc and something might fall.”
‘I didn’t think the finish [from Bellingham] would be quite as it was.
‘There’s no question, I think Ivan Toney was pretty disgusted that I put him on with a minute to go.
‘I think we’ve made up now but he’s had a big impact, in the second goal as well.’
Asked whether he felt Toney was upset because he should have been brought on earlier, Southgate responded: ‘Yeah, you put a sub on at that time and it’s the last throw of the dice and maybe he doesn’t even touch the ball.
‘I completely understand it, I don’t like putting a player in that position but I just had a feel he might be able to cause the chaos that happened.’
At his post-match press conference, Southgate added: ‘I could just tell from his face what he was thinking and I could understand it.
‘I was putting him on with a minute to go, any player is going to think, ‘well, I’ve been sat for the tournament and you’ve not used me’.
‘What I said to him was, ‘I know this isn’t a good time and this isn’t how you’d like it but there could be one moment’.
‘I think his presence would’ve unsettled them [Slovakia] a bit, and a very clever bit of play for the second goal, I think he’s just about forgiven me now.’
Facing the media this afternoon, Toney said he always felt coming off the bench that there would be one last opportunity for an England player to become a hero in the dying embers of the game.
The Brentford striker told reporters: ‘There was always going to be another big chance in the dying moments and I feel like with myself, with my presence on the pitch, I try and rough up a few defenders and put my body around, like I said there’s going to be a chance for someone.
‘I think the three, two, one minutes, however many I got, there would have been an opportunity so I felt like you’ve just got to be in the game.
‘We got a chance and Jude put it in the back of the net.’
When asked how he and Southgate were able to move over their differences, Toney said, “By winning!”
It goes without saying that every player will occasionally get bored with the game, especially with only a minute left.
You’re hoping for a little bit more. Fortunately, we were able to equalize, and from then, it was up to me to improve my mental state, let go of my emotions, and continue playing the game.
“I believe I accomplished that and helped H [Kane] reach his goal.”
Toney continued: ‘It’s always going to be tough [not getting regular game-time], it’s going to be tough for all of us.
‘Most of us play week-in, week-out for our club so it’s tough, but from the beginning of my career I’ve gone down this route a few times, being a sub, waiting, being patient and coming on.
‘I guess I’ve got to do that again now and hopefully when I get my opportunity I can take it.’
Toney admitted that he would have to “respect” Southgate’s team selection against Switzerland this weekend, even if he would love the chance to play in a two with Kane up front.
“Although I’m not the manager, I would definitely prefer to play as a two, but the gaffer is the gaffer, and his decision is final,” he added.
It is imperative that we honor and adhere to that.
“I will give it my all for the team if I am asked to play, whether it be one or two.”