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Tottenham’s Dier Grateful for Free-kick Opportunity

By Alexander Balano

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Eric Dier of England in action during the UEFA Euro 2016 Group B match between England and Russia at Stade Velodrome on June 11, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Eric Dier of England in action during the UEFA Euro 2016 Group B match between England and Russia at Stade Velodrome on June 11, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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Leading up to England’s only goal against Russia in both team’s opening game of Euro 2016, Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier was given an opportunity to take a free-kick in the 73rd minute.

Much grief has been given to Tottenham’s star striker, Harry Kane, for being handpicked by Roy Hodgson as England’s only corner kick taker, but Eric Dier’s free-kick has been swept under the rug and not really questioned because he managed to score a goal.

Related Story: Tottenham's Eric Dier Urges Teammates to Bounce Back

Without question, Kane taking corners makes no sense. But it’s interesting that a majority of peoples’ opinion after Dier scored England’s only goal, there was no backlash as to why Roy Hodgson chose the Spurs holding midfielder to take the free-kick in the first place.

Throughout the 2015-16 campaign, Eric Dier never once lined up next to Christian Eriksen or Érik Lamela when the two were setting up an in-or-outswinging pass into the penalty box from a dead ball situation.

But apparently he has since revealed to UEFA.com that he has been taking free-kicks since he was called up to England’s Under-21 team. And even when he was a little kid.

"“I’ve just been practising them a lot during the time I’ve been away with England, and it’s something that I’ve always enjoyed doing since I was little,” Dier said to UEFA.com (via the Football Association).“We have Christian Eriksen at Tottenham, who’s quite prolific from free-kicks and scores a lot of goals, so I don’t really have any complaints there.”“But thankfully I got the chance here and I took it.”"

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 11: Eric Dier (R) of England celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his team mates Dele Alli (L) and Wayne Rooney (C) during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England and Russia at Stade Velodrome on June 11, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 11: Eric Dier (R) of England celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with his team mates Dele Alli (L) and Wayne Rooney (C) during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between England and Russia at Stade Velodrome on June 11, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) /

Perhaps everything was fine because Eric Dier scored (even though he could have been used inside the box), the same way that Harry Kane can receive a pass from a corner rather than doing the honors in kicking it to everyone else.

In any event, for Dier, the Tottenham midfielder is still in awe prior to tomorrow’s game against Wales because he scored his second international goal for the Three Lions. Going as far as saying he’s “grateful” for being given the opportunity to take the free-kick in the first place.

"“I don’t really know what to say about it,” Eric Dier continues.“It was crazy when I scored, it’s a thing that you dream about as a kid really, scoring at a European Championship, especially being on the side where our fans were.”More from Hotspur HQStorybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s RicharlisonTottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivatedTottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield UnitedTottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield UnitedTottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help“It was an unbelievable feeling and one that I won’t forget for a long time.”“Obviously Wayne [Rooney] took the first one, so I think he put his trust in me, he’s seen what I can do during the weeks of being together and I’m grateful for that.”“And thankfully I scored, it could’ve been different if I’d missed, lots of people probably would have been judging that decision, but thankfully it went well.”"

With Wales being England’s second opponent in their group stage, the 22-year-old Dier knows that their mentality has to be in a win-it-all mode otherwise Roy Hodgson’s side could face a quick elimination in just two games.

"“It’s a game we have to win, no matter what the result was against Russia, so that’s the mentality we’re going to have,” Dier added.“I don’t think our mentality has changed because of the draw, we have to win no matter what, so I don’t think that game really had anything to do with it, no.”“We’re looking at dealing with Wales as a team, not as any individuals. Obviously he’s [Gareth Bale] a fantastic player, but Wales have lots of other good players so we’re not giving any one person special attention.”"

Next: Tottenham's 2016/17 Fixture List Released

With Eric Dier already in the right mindset, English fans will be looking to support their team too — hopefully, just not in a raucous type of way that could be perceived as violent. Seeing as how this is practically a huge derby between both nations.

Again, with Russia already put on notice by UEFA with a possible expulsion should their fans get out of line, England could face the same punishment if their fans don’t abide by the rules as well.

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