Moore: Bring It On

It’s a difficult group, but Moore insists that a combination of the group’s quality and togetherness can help them rise to the challenge and put together a good run in the tournament. 

Speaking after watching his team-mates complete a 1-0 friendly win over Belarus before flying out, Moore told Foxes Player: “I’m very excited. Everybody is focused. It’s going to be a tough time ahead but we’re all in it together. We got another run out and another win [against Belarus], which is positive to take forward. The next step is the tournament, so bring it on. 

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little bit surreal, but every time I play for England there’s always that extra buzz. There’s always something new and you’re playing in different cities and countries all the time. If we can carry on with the mentality that we have then we’ve a good chance of doing well, so we’re all looking forward to it.” 

There’s plenty of optimism within the camp with a number of big names joining the group for the competition, such as Tottenham striker and former Leicester City loanee Harry Kane. 

For Moore, it’s that added quality that has increased the belief. He added: “It’s the ability [that makes me think we can do well]. It’s not only the forward players that we’ve got, who speak for themselves. Danny Ings has had a great move to Liverpool, there’s Saido Berahino and Harry Kane too. 

“Even the strikers that have missed out, there are some great players. Defensively we’ve got lot of players who have played in the Premier League and if not the Premier League, have played at a very high standard in the Championship competing for that title. 

“We’ve been together for quite a while now. The core of the group has been together for pushing 18 months now so it’s only good that we all get on as friends and can perform together.” 

There’s no doubt that the games are tough, but to be the best you have to beat the best, and Moore is certainly up for the challenge. 

“It’s what you expect,” he said. “It’s a European Championship and there’s only four teams in a group. It narrows down the bigger groups and there are no easy games in there. 

“It’s a tough group but if we want to be European Champions then we’ve got to beat teams with that quality, it’s as simple as that.”