Ivan Toney would love it if Gareth Southgate took Jurgen Klinsmann’s advice and played up top two for England.
In his exclusive SunSport column on Wednesday, legendary German striker Klinsmann urged the Three Lions boss to pair Toni and Harry Kane against Switzerland.
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It follows Toney’s impressive cameo off the bench against Slovakia, as Southgate’s side went down 1-0 in the last-16 clash.
The Brentford forward helped Jude Bellingham clear the space for his 95th minute overhead kick to make it 1-1.
Toni then set up Kane for an extra-time winner, convincing Klinsmann that a 4-4-2 could be the way to advance to Saturday’s quarter-finals from the start.
Tony, 28, said: “Obviously I want to play as a two but it’s the gaffer’s choice. We have to respect that. Everyone wants to play, whether it’s a two or a one I’ll do my best for the team. .”
Tony told Kane as the team prepare for extra-time that he likes to get to the far post so “just be there for the knock-down”.
That’s exactly what happened within a minute of the restart, as Toni’s header allowed Kane to nod home from close range from across the goal.
Speaking about a possible strike partnership with the England captain, Toney added: “We’ve played each other and seen each other quite a few times.
“We will know what is best in each other.
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“You put yourself down when two are ahead.
“I would knock him back to H and he could only pick up seconds and he was able to do that.”
Southgate revealed that Toney was “angry” at being sent off so late, with the clock already showing 94 minutes.
Tony explained that it was just because he was itching to get up early.
The former Peterborough and Northampton hitman said: “In the dying moments, it’s like ‘When am I going to turn up?’
“You’re looking at the clock, ‘Now, now’. Then it came in the dying moments. But if I wasn’t sitting on the bench and getting upset, I’d see that you don’t have the right attitude and you don’t really want to play football.
“I think my face said it all! Now everything is settled, we are friends – not that we weren’t friends – but we are happy now and focusing on the next game.
Tony revealed that he relied on the advice of a sports psychologist employed by Brentford to overcome his depression and get his head in the game.
The striker said: “There’s a guy called Michael Caulfield, who always talks about getting your emotions under control, and it was time to get your emotions under control.
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“Yes, I was upset but there are still 30 minutes to play and you have to come out of that mood and focus. Because you can’t play any game while angry, upset or upset.
“We haven’t talked because he doesn’t text me. He thinks he’s harassing me when he texts me!”
That control will be vital against the Swiss, as the Three Lions walk a yellow card tightrope. Bellingham, Phil Foden, Kieran Trippier, Conor Gallagher and Kobi Mainu are the bookings England should not make the semi-finals if they get there.
Tony said: “Now everyone has to be careful.
“You have to watch your step and make sure you don’t get involved in anything stupid.”
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After narrowly escaping a shootout against Slovakia, Toni insists he won’t be put off taking a penalty for fear of racist abuse if he misses.
Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were targeted by online trolls after failing to score as England lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy on spot-kicks.
Bee star Tony said: “I’m a confident person. If I score, I score. If I miss, I miss.
“Those who racially abuse a player to miss a penalty, make them even more stupid.”