With Euro 2024 set to kick off in Germany next week, the hype machine in England has already gone into overdrive.
Much of the English media and their fans have deemed Gareth Southgate's team as strong favourites to lift the trophy for a number of months now. They will certainly be in the running to win the tournament, although they will face some stern competition from the likes of France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal.
England have a decent recent track record in major tournaments, although they have also struggled to get results when they have come up against other top tier nations. Their knockout round runs in the last two World Cups and Euro 2020 have all been relatively kind, only to then lose when they face quality opposition for the first time.
It will be interesting to see if they can reverse that trend on this occasion.
READ HERE: The Definitive Ranking Of Every Nation's Euro 2024 Home Kit
Kevin Kilbane takes cheeky dig at England star on Canadian TV
One player who will play a key role for England in Germany is Bukayo Saka. The winger is coming off a strong season with Arsenal, scoring 20 goals and registering 14 assists in all competitions.
In saying that, there has been a social media trend in recent weeks which poked fun at the player.
It suggested that he had a tendency to limp off the pitch with an apparent injury when things were going against him or his team, with a number of examples provided online.
While this is just a silly trend developed by rival fans, it did get a mention from a former Republic of Ireland star this week.
Kevin Kilbane was appearing during his regular slot on Canadian broadcaster TSN to preview Euro 2024, when he decided to take an cheeky dig at one particular England star.
It’s safe to save Kevin Kilbane won’t be wishing England on well this summer!🇮🇪😂 pic.twitter.com/aXUkYQurkN
— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) June 6, 2024
Watch out during the Euros as well for Saka limping off with 20 minutes to go.
Then he will be a doubt for the next game, but he's made it, he will be back. Watch out for that one through the Euros.
A 110-cap Ireland international, you can be certain that Kevin Kilbane will not be among those hoping that England can end their long trophy drought this summer.
There will be quite a few people in this part of the world with similar allegiances.
SEE ALSO: Report - FAI Working Off Five-Man Shortlist To Appoint Next Ireland Manager
