INTERIM ENGLAND BOSS LEE CARSLEY DEFENDS HIS DECISION NOT TO SING GOD SAVE THE KING ANTHEM BEFORE WIN OVER IRELAND AND INSISTS IT DOESN'T MAKE HIM 'ANY LESS COMMITTED'

Goals from Ex-Ireland internationals Declan Rice and Jack Grealish sealed win
Lee Carsley shockingly admits he will NOT sing the national anthem in Dublin
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England interim head coach Lee Carsley followed through his vow not to sing the national anthem on Saturday night - but his job prospects won't be harmed as a result.

Carsley insists the furore over his decision not to sing the national anthem did not ruin the proudest day of his career, which ended in victory as Declan Rice and Jack Grealish - who both used to play for the Republic of Ireland - silenced the boo-boys by scoring the goals to fire England on course to victory in Carsley's first game in charge.

But the game was overshadowed by the fall-out from Carsley's stance of singing the national anthem, though Mail Sport understands that Carsley's decision not to sing God Save The King will not count against him as the Football Association weigh up whether to hand the interim head coach the job on a permanent basis.

'It's definitely not effected my day or preparations, I fully respect people's opinions,' said Carsley.

'It's something (singing the anthem) I've never done but I fully respect both national anthems.

'Today would be one of the proudest of my career to lead an England team out on Dublin.

'You definitely couldn't have written it.

'I don't feel hard done by or aggrieved. I respect everyone's opinion.

'I played in teams when players are belting the anthem out next to me but also I've played in teams where players or coaches don't sing.

'I don't think it makes me or anyone else who doesn't sing any less committed.

'I was looking forward so much to today.

'I saw the draw a while back and I thought that is going to be a really good game.

'Fast forward and two weeks ago it sunk in that I was going to take the team in Dublin, I knew it was going to be a good experience.'

Asked whether the reaction has dampened his desire to become full-time head coach, Carsley answered: 'I would never judge anyone for singing or not.

'I have a great experience when I played for the Republic of Ireland and I'm having a really great experience now in terms of the responsibility I've got of being head coach of the senior team.'

Carsley, who played senior international football for Ireland, accidentally sat in the home dugout before kick-off and joked: 'I did come down the tunnel and turn right. As you know I've spent a lot of time on the bench so I know exactly where that is!'

2024-09-07T20:33:51Z dg43tfdfdgfd