England legend Paul Gascoigne has criticized the lack of emotion shown by some players when scoring for the national team, saying their muted celebrations “drive me crazy”.
Thomas Tuchel’s side prepare for four Nations League games, starting with a meeting against World Cup winners Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
England They will then face the Czech Republic twice and Croatia as Tuchel continues to build his squad ahead of the next big tournament.
Gascoignewho won 57 caps and became one of the national team’s iconic figures during the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96, believes representing England should mean more to today’s generation.
“I loved playing for my country. You know, putting on that white shirt, I just thought about my family, I made them proud,” Gascoigne said. talkSPORT.
❤️ “I loved playing for my country… Now I’m pretty excited!”
😡 “I see some players score and not even celebrate and it drives me crazy!”
Paul Gascoigne doesn’t like the amount of players leaving the England team! 🏴😫 pic.twitter.com/pQ5lrk8TRy
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 22, 2026
“It’s very emotional to talk about now. Playing for your country means a lot.
“I see some of the players when they score and they don’t celebrate. And that drives me crazy.”
Gascoigne recalled a story from his early days with England to underline how much scoring for his country meant to him.
“I scored and there was no one in the crowd. So I jumped the fence and celebrated on the freeway.”
Gascoigne questions England’s withdrawal
Gascoigne also criticized the number of players who have been withdrawn from Tuchel’s latest England squad.
Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, Tino Livramento and Kobbie Mainoo have been withdrawn from the squad for the four Nations League games, with The Athletic suggesting that players are out because of their accumulated minutes over a sustained period of time.
Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner have subsequently been called up, while John Stones, Reece James and Djed Spence were no longer available through injury.
Cole Palmer is also absent from the squad after being overlooked for England’s World Cup campaign in North America.
“You see some of them and they take the template out. It’s not very good,” Gascoigne said.
