Rice calls for England improvement after Malta struggle

Declan Rice wants England to improve on Friday's lethargic 2-0 victory over Malta when they face North Macedonia on Monday evening.

The Three Lions' final Euro 2024 qualifier sees them take on opposition they hammered 7-0 in the reverse fixture in June.

And their midfield lynchpin wants them to recreate that kind of performance in Skopje.

He said: "I think especially the other night after Malta there is just a bit of pride in ourselves that we need to raise our level.

"We need to put out a statement and it would be a good way to end the year. 

"We are currently unbeaten since the World Cup so it is down to us to go out tomorrow night and put on a performance.

"You need to be mentally prepared and be ready for a hostile environment and make sure we go out of this year with a bang. 

"We will be ready for whatever they throw at us."

The Arsenal ace thought he had got himself on the scoresheet at Wembley on Friday after a fine run and shot found the corner of the net — only for it to be ruled out for offside.

And he revealed that the near miss has inspired him to find his shooting boots on Monday.

He said: "To be honest with you, going back to the other night, I was gutted.

"When I picked the ball up and drove through and bent one into the far corner, I was buzzing because I don't really score goals like that often.

"When it was chalked off I was gutted but it was one of those where I didn't want to get into something with the ref and get a silly yellow card. 

"Hopefully I can score one of those again, maybe tomorrow night."