Harry Redknapp makes feelings clear on Lee Carsley after national anthem controversy in England win
England news: Lee Carsley refused to sing the national anthem as the Three Lions beat Ireland on Saturday night
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Harry Redknapp has taken aim at Lee Carsley's decision to not sing the national anthem in England's 2-0 win over Ireland on Saturday night.
The 50-year-old has said before the clash that he wouldn't be belting out God Save the King, despite being given the job of leading the Three Lions following the recent departure of Gareth Southgate.
Carsley then stuck to his word as goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish gave England a 2-0 win in Dublin.
The former Everton star played his international football for Ireland and also often didn't sing their national anthem during his playing days.
England news: Lee Carsley refused to sing the national anthem as the Three Lions beat Ireland on Saturday night
PA
Redknapp, speaking to The Sun, has now made his feelings clear on the matter.
The former Tottenham, Southampton and Portsmouth boss believes it is a 'must' for any manager of England to sing before matches.
Yet he also acknowledged that Carsley was put in a difficult position, too.
“As a proud Englishman and a patriot, I do think singing the national anthem is important," said the 77-year-old.
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"I always love to see players and managers belting it out, whatever the sport.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from, for me if you’re in charge of an English team, you should sing it. In 99 per cent of circumstances, at least.”
He continued: “I accept that on this occasion Lee did have a problem and was maybe stuck in the middle of things.
“Not just as a former Republic of Ireland player, but because there was maybe even more emotion than usual on this one after the trouble there’s been in the past.
"But while that made it understandable this time, when it comes to a ‘regular’ game, against, say, Spain, France or whoever, it’s a must.
“As England manager, singing the anthem is a must — whoever you are and wherever you’re from."
It'll now be intriguing to see if Carsley sings God Save the King when England face Finland on Tuesday.
He was pleased with his side's victory over Ireland, with the 50-year-old saying players should be praised for their display.
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England news: Harry Redknapp has taken aim at Lee Carsley's refusal to sing the national anthem on Saturday night
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“I thought it was good in parts, you have seen some of the things we have tried to do,” he said.
“The lads have to take all of the credit and I think we have shown we have some real talent, and we can be pleased with the clean sheet as well.
“I would not call it my style of way of playing, the players have to take a lot of credit.
"The way they have taken some of the things we have spoken about, moving the ball forward quickly, running forwards and getting into pockets, I thought they did really well.”
England news: Lee Carsley was pleased as the Three Lions beat Ireland on Saturday night
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On Rice and Grealish scoring, he added: “I thought they both [Rice and Grealish] took their goals really well, they were well-worked moves and brilliant finishes.
"I think they can both add a lot more goals to their game. He [Grealish] doesn’t have anything to prove to us, we can see his quality.
"That will have done him the world of good today, scoring a goal for England, and hopefully we can see more of him in that form.
“It was a really dry and sticky pitch, which is not often good for dribblers, but I thought Anthony [Gordon] was really good. He has carried on his form from last season and he looks like a really dangerous player.”