Enda McEvoy: Fearing England glory still the most natural thing in the world

Not that anyone could have anticipated England being so shockingly dull, admittedly.

STRUGGLING: England’s Conor Gallagher fouls Slovenia’s Andraz Sporar in Tuesday’s Euro 20024 stalemate in Cologne. The Chelsea midfielder was hooked at half-time after failing to look anything remotely resembling a significant asset. Pic: Stu Forster/Getty Images

The real stuff starts today. The bookies make England favourites. The bookies are never too far off. Yes, the phoney war is over. It’s getting serious.

Up to Tuesday night it had been working out so nicely. Ireland weren’t there to stink the place out and embarrass the nation. Great. England were there to do it instead. Also great. “We’re shit and we know we are,” as a group of their fans chanted on the walk back to the tram stop in Cologne. With which there could be no arguing.