Graeme Souness suffers strong backlash for Jude Bellingham comments as England beat Scotland
Graeme Souness criticised Jude Bellingham before England beat Scotland at Hampden Park
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Graeme Souness has suffered a backlash online for his comments on Jude Bellingham both before and after England's 3-1 win over Scotland at Hampden Park.
The Real Madrid star scored his side's second goal of the game in Glasgow, with Phil Foden and Harry Kane also on target.
Before the game, Souness suggested Bellingham only gets picked for England because he plays for Real Madrid.
“I’m an enormous fan of James Maddison. I think there’s room for Maddison and Bellingham in this midfield," he said.
Jude Bellingham ran the show as England beat Scotland at Hampden Park
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“If you look at Maddison’s numbers, his stats, scoring goals, creating chances - he shoots Jude Bellingham off the park.
"He’s far better. And yet he [Gareth Southgate] is choosing Bellingham because he plays for Real Madrid.
“But I’ll say that I think there’s room for both of them in that midfield.
"I think this England team that I watch are playing with the handbrake on. I think this team are capable of more than what they are showing.”
After the game, however, Souness then changed his tune.
He said: "For a young man to have that kind of football brain, and he's gifted with the genes he's got because he's a real athlete, a real powerhouse.
"I just love watching him. That’s the first time I've seen him play [live], running onto stuff, he can do everything as a midfield player.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen him live and I just loved watching him, he is the real deal.”
And fans online have turned on Souness for his comments, with one saying: "Graeme Souness saying that Bellingham only starts 'because he plays for Madrid' absolutely reeks of lazy and poor punditry."
A second stated: "Quick reminder that according to Souness, Bellingham is only starting over Maddison because he plays for Real Madrid."
A third weighed in by saying: Pre-match Bellingham was described by Souness as 'only starting cause he plays for Madrid'. He’s simply run the show this evening."
Another said: "Have I just heard that right from Souness? He genuinely believes Maddison is a better creative player than Bellingham and that he’s only being picked because he’s at Real Madrid? Absolutely terrible take in my opinion."
And a fifth simply said: "Has Souness ever actually watched Bellingham?"
As for Bellingham himself, the England star revealed he was all fired up for the match with Scotland because of his flat performance against Ukraine over the weekend.
"I wasn't happy with how I played against Ukraine, it wasn't anywhere near my best and the motivation is always to get back to your best," he said.
"I got somewhere close tonight.
"It's just a freedom role really. I get given the freedom by the amazing teammates and manager that I have [at Real Madrid].
"I know it depends on the system we play, and we've got so many amazing players to accommodate, and so the team comes first always.
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England ran out comfortable winners over Scotland with Jude Bellingham the best player on the pitch
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"I really enjoyed playing in that [same No 10] position today.
"A lot of the lads felt like they didn't perform to their level [against Ukraine].
"That's a great attitude to have, and still be able to take the positives into the next game.
"Having these big wins helps build camaraderie in the group."
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