'It doesn’t make anyone more or less committed.' Carsley shrugs off anthem controversey

The caretaker England boss saw his side run out comfortable winners in Dublin.

OUT OF TUNE: England interim manager Lee Carsley and his backroom staff In Dublin. PIC: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Lee Carsley says he has no issue with the controversy caused by his refusal to sing the English national anthem.

The former Ireland midfielder awoke before his first match as England’s caretaker boss to some sensational headlines in the English media, a few claiming his stance should debar him from the permanent vacancy.

His reasoning originates in his consistency of never singing it, even when he lined out 40 times as a player for Ireland.

England’s U21 Euro winner manager Carsley got his off to a flyer, overseeing a comfortable 2-0 win in Dublin, secured by goals from former Ireland players Declan Rice and Jack Grealish.

“I found out this morning and but it didn’t affect my preparation,” said the 50-year-old.

“It’s something I’ve never done. I’ve played in teams where players belted it out and others didn’t. It doesn’t make anyone more or less committed.

“I don’t feel hard done by or aggrieved. As England manager, you’ll probably have to accept judgement. I don’t feel hard done by.” 

Carsley, who sat in the wrong dugout at the start – “I was used to being on the bench here”, insisted he wasn’t surprised with how the game unfolded.

“Today would be proudest day of my career, leading England out here,” said the manager, who will take charge for the Nations League campaign up until November.

“We knew we’d get space in the wide areas. For all our first-half possession (82%), I didn’t feel we were peppering the goal.”