Gareth Southgate will use his penalty miss at Euro 1996 to England’s advantage at the World Cup

If we go to penalties in the knockout stages this time and don’t win, it will certainly not be for a lack of preparation.

When I went to see the England team at St George’s Park last year to talk about what it’s like at the finals, one thing that was brought up was preparation for penalties.

I doubt that Gareth practised penalties during Euro 96.

Now any England player, whatever position they are, will be rehearsing

He has been in that situation and because he had not practised and was not used to it, he wasn’t totally prepared and unfortunately he missed against Germany in the semi-finals.

I took the first one and scored — but we all said at the time it could have happened to anyone.

He wasn’t a big shouter but if he had a point to make he would do it in a professional and measured way — and players would listen.

He is measured and balanced. But, make no mistake, he does like a laugh and a joke.

He will take the mick, he likes a pint, he’s a normal bloke.

There’s nothing flash or arrogant about him and he can cope with pressure situations.

When I was doing my documentary about Euro 96 for the BBC, I asked him to take part and he wouldn’t do it.