“Absolutely outstanding” – Southgate gives verdict on left-back Trippier

England manager Gareth Southgate heaped the praise on an “absolutely outstanding” performance by Kieran Trippier last night.

The Newcastle United defender was played on the opposite side to where he is most familiar, fitting in at left-back with Kyle Walker starting on the right.

Trippier, who has played the position on occasion for the national side, delivered a trademark classy performance to leave Southgate – with the England manager opting to rotate a few players following  last week’s lacklustre 1-1 draw with Ukraine.

Speaking to the press after the match, Southgate said:

 “We’re building all the time, we want to keep improving, we keep pushing the players. We’ve been able to experiment a bit this week as well with two new centre-backs who have come in who are relatively inexperienced and both have done really well.

“But, some of our senior players are just so influential. Walker and Trippier tonight were absolutely outstanding.

“The impact of our senior players on this group just can’t be underestimated.”