Gary Lineker joins fans in hailing Manchester City star Jack Grealish’s ‘special’ England cameo

Gary Lineker and England fans insisted Jack Grealish should start more for England after a superb cameo against Germany. 

Gareth Southgate’s side salvaged a point in their Nations League clash in Munich on Tuesday night thanks to a late Harry Kane penalty.

England looked lethargic and short of ideas going forward and failed to create many clear-cut chances with Mason Mount in attacking midfield.

Manchester City star Grealish replaced Chelsea midfielder Mount on 72 minutes and made an instant impact.

The £100million signing looked bright and was direct and penetrative, helping his side spark into life. 

And Match of the Day host Lineker and several supporters took to Twitter to praise Grealish’s performance – with some calling for manager Southgate to start him instead of Mount. 

Gary Lineker joined England fans in hailing Manchester City star Jack Grealish (right) for his ‘special’ cameo against Germany in their 1-1 draw in the Nations League on Tuesday evening

Grealish replaced the ineffectual Mason Mount with just 18 minutes remaining of the match

Gareth Southgate has challenged Jack Grealish to force his way into his starting line-up – but Three Lions supporters urged the manager to start the Manchester City star instead of Mount

Lineker said: ‘The introduction of @JackGrealish has made a difference. You have to take chances to make things happen at this level’.

A fan added: ‘It’s criminal that Grealish doesn’t start more often. He creates so many chances. Mount is a good PL (Premier League) player. Nothing more. One of Southgate’s golden boys’.

Another tweeted: ‘England play their best football whenever Grealish is on the pitch’, with one simply saying: ‘This Grealish cameo been special’.

Manchester City star Grealish helped change the momentum of the game when he came on

Half of Grealish’s 22 caps have come as a sub and he has only played 90 minutes three times

A fourth posted: ‘Grealish not starting for England is criminal’, with one concluding: ‘The gap between Grealish and Mount is actually massive’.

Half of Grealish’s 22 England caps have come as a substitute and he has only finished 90 minutes three times for his country, and after the game, Southgate challenged the former Aston Villa star to win a starting place and not just be an impact player.

He said: ‘He can be both. If we didn’t trust him we wouldn’t put him on the pitch with 20 minutes to go in the belief he can make a difference. The start of the game, the challenge to the wide players to attack, defend, try to score goals at a high tactical level and you’ve got to be spot on.

Southgate was pleased with the impact that both Grealish and Jarrod Bowen made in the draw

‘I think that’s an area Jack can get better at and what he did do was carry the ball and at that moment of the game as it opens up there’s a little more space, a little more opportunity, and also that freshness.

‘The impact that he and Jarrod Bowen had was really important in those attacking areas. There is a good challenge there, good competition for places and we’ve got to keep pushing them.’ 

After the game, Grealish tweeted: ‘A well earned point. Lovely to hear the England fans in full voice tonight,’ before referencing captain Kane’s half-century of England goals by adding: ‘Congrats brother on 50 goals! Some achievement that’.