Lee Carsley reacts to England national anthem backlash on ‘proudest day of football career’

Interim manager Lee Carsley said he respects people’s opinions but was unmoved by the reaction to him not singing the national anthem before leading England to a career-high victory over the Republic of Ireland.

Life after Gareth Southgate began in the Nations League second tier at a sold-out Aviva Stadium, where the 50-year-old took charge of his first match since being temporarily promoted to senior team coach from his role with the under-21s.

Carsley oversaw an impressive 2-0 win against the nation he played for 40 times as England’s caretaker manager parked .

The former midfielder said on the eve of the Group B2 clash that he had never sung a national anthem as Republic player or England coach and would stick with that stance when the countries met on Sa…