England players told to show passion by belting out national anthem

Last updated : 02 June 2014 By Daily Mail

Hodgson has always encouraged his England team to sing loud and proud before the kick-off and plans to remind those players heading to their first tournament that it is a good way to stir emotions.

The England team touched down in Miami on Sunday night and were pictured arriving at the team hotel.

Before boarding the plane to Miami, the England boss said: ‘You very rarely play an international match against opponents who haven’t got their hands on their hearts and singing their anthem as loud as they can. And we’ve made a decision that’s what we’re going to do, too.

‘We are proud and we are happy to be wearing that England shirt. We are proud to be England players and, in my case, England manager.

'So when the national anthem comes up it’s an obvious one for me that we sing it. Let’s do what every other team does.’

It was a rule Hodgson introduced when he took over from Fabio Capello ahead of Euro 2012.

He plans to reinforce the message to new players Raheem Sterling, Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley.

‘We made the decision very early on,’ added Hodgson. ‘They’ve been doing it for two years and perhaps we need to remind them, as the squad has changed so much. I don’t know if they all sang it against Peru but I hope they will.

'We’re great until the second verse comes along because we don’t really know that!’

England assistant manager Ray Lewington said: ‘The first time I did it, I surprised myself. I’m not emotional but it really got to me.’