Laura Woods left ‘pinching herself’ over ‘weird’ Graeme Souness comments in ITV coverage

Will Ford
Laura Woods ITV

Laura Woods was left “pinching herself” over Graeme Souness’ “weird” comments during ITV’s World Cup coverage.

Woods was joined by Souness, Ian Wright and Hal Robson-Kanu on Saturday afternoon for France’s clash with Denmark and the group discussed England’s drab 0-0 draw with USA the night before.

Gareth Southgate’s side remain in control of Group B thanks to that point but the Three Lions have been widely criticised for their display after the high of the 6-2 win over Iran.

But Souness took Woods by surprise as he chose to highlight how good the USA were while others were down on England.

He said: “This is rich coming from a Scotsman, I wouldn’t be too hard on your team [England]. I think you’re up against a really good USA team.

“I was watching the game last night looking at them. You know when you watch teams that come into soccer, football, late, they didn’t look like that last night. There’s a naivety to teams that are new to this level of football.

“I thought the USA looked like a really experienced team with pedigree. I thought they were really, really good last night. I wouldn’t be too hard on yourselves.

“That was a good team you were playing and I have to say it, it’s not just English teams that do it, British teams do it: ‘We’ve only drawn with the USA’. Give them credit, they’re a really good team right now.”

Taken aback by Souness, Woods responded: “I just have to pinch myself because I think that was a compliment from Graeme Souness to England.”

Souness then joked he couldn’t return to Scotland for Christmas before Woods suggested his comments were “a bit weird”.

England now only need to acoid a heavy defeat to Wales by four goals or more to progress to the round of 16 and a win would secure top spot.

READ MORE: Johnny Nic’s World Cup media diary – part two: Laura Woods, Tyldesley, pumped-up Micah

Despite his positive outlook on England, Souness claimed captain Harry Kane had been “selfish” in the win over Iran.

He said: “My view is that Harry Kane was selfish against Iran on Monday – staying on the field for 27 minutes after suffering an ankle injury, even though England were 3-0 up.”

” Gareth Southgate needed to protect Kane from himself there but failed to do so. Kane has historical issues with his ankles and the injury was serious enough for him to need a scan but he needlessly played on. I know from experience that the ankle can be complex.”