Ivan Toney admits he was 'annoyed' at being brought on so late in England's win against Slovakia after Gareth Southgate revealed Brentford star was 'disgusted' by his decision

• e-mail

Ivan Toney stepped up again yesterday. When Luke Shaw pulled out of a press conference at England's base in east Germany, Toney made a last-minute intervention, just as he had done against Slovakia on Sunday. 'So I'm a professional sub now, yeah?' he said, smiling

The tattoo on the back on Toney's neck famously features the numbers 11:59, formed of tiny letters that read 'Even the longest of days will eventually come to an end' and on Sunday, the Brentford striker was rewarded for his patience and his forbearance.

Maybe he ought to get another inking with another figure. This time, it could be '90+4', for the minute that Gareth Southgate sent him on in the AufSchalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen with England staring down the barrel of defeat in their round-of-16 tie.

Southgate laughed afterwards about how Toney had 'the hump' with him when he brought him on for his first taste of action in the tournament with one minute left of a match England looked destined to lose.

But Toney bore in mind the advice of Michael Caulfield, a respected sport psychologist who works with Brentford, and controlled his emotions, quelled his frustration and helped create the space for Jude Bellingham to fashion his remarkable last-gasp equaliser. Then, in the first minute of extra time, it was Toney's astute header across the face of goal that allowed Harry Kane to score what turned out to be England's winner.

Ivan Toney has admitted to being annoyed at his late introduction against Slovakia

England boss Gareth Southgate said Toney was 'disgusted' at being brought on so late

Toney's instant impact, and the way he linked with Kane, raised intriguing possibilities about a change of shape in the England side that could be the key to unlocking the creative block that has afflicted them since they arrived in Germany.

Toney was at pains to point out that any such change was up to Southgate, but was happy to give some insight into the frustrations of being one of the players consigned, until Sunday, to the fringes of the team.

Read More

EXCLUSIVE

EUROS DAILY: 'Gareth Southgate will manage Man United one day'

'You're excited to come out to a tournament,' Toney said. 'Everybody wants to play, not just myself. You want to get minutes and come on. In the dying moments, it's like, 'When am I going to come on?'.

'You're looking at the clock thinking, 'Now, now'. The time wasn't coming and then it came in the dying moments. I have seen it plenty times when you're on the touchline ready to come on and the ball doesn't go out and the final whistle goes.

'But if I wasn't annoyed sitting on the bench, then I see it as you wouldn't have the right attitude and don't really want to play. When you come onto the pitch, you have to stay focused and change your mindset.'

Toney played his role to perfection against Slovakia. He is an understudy to Kane, but did enough in the half an hour he played to suggest that if there is a change of shape, he would be a contender for a starting place.

'We've played with each other and we've watched each other plenty of times and know what works best for each other,' Toney said. 'I feel like you just put yourself about when there's two up front and then it gives the opposition more to think about.

'We had a bit of a discussion on the pitch and I said I'd knock it back to H and he could just pick up seconds and he did that.

'The relief after in the dressing room was kind of like: 'Right, now boys it's time to kick on'.

'I think we've got the character and quality of players to do that.'