text: [{"text_idx": "#000003", "text": "Southgate says he talked Walker out of England retirement twice"}, {"text_idx": "#000005", "text": "LONDON: England coach Gareth Southgate said he talked Kyle Walker out of retiring from international duty following last year\u2019s World Cup quarterfinal loss to France and after the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat by Italy."}, {"text_idx": "#000006", "text": "The 33-year-old right back scored his first England goal on his 77th appearance during Saturday\u2019s 1-1 draw with Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier in Wroclaw, Poland, and Southgate said the defender is \u201ccritical\u201d to the squad."}, {"text_idx": "#000007", "text": "\u201cI\u2019ve talked him out of retirement twice from international football, after the Euros and after the World Cup,\u201d Southgate told British media. \u201cI think he loves being here."}, {"text_idx": "#000008", "text": "\u201cIf we\u2019re talking about world-class players in their position in our team then he\u2019s probably one of them."}, {"text_idx": "#000010", "text": "Southgate added that Walker, who made his international debut aged 21 in 2011, had become a \u201cmature leader\u201d for England."}, {"text_idx": "#000011", "text": "\u201cNot only playing but also around the training, the way I hear him speak when he\u2019s interviewed, his influence on the group, the younger players,\u201d Southgate said."}, {"text_idx": "#000012", "text": "\u201cI think he\u2019s enjoying the extra responsibility he\u2019s had at his club and I know he\u2019s ready to embrace that with us as well.\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000013", "text": "England are six points clear in Group C and on course to qualify for next year\u2019s Euros in Germany. They take on Scotland in a friendly in Glasgow on Tuesday."}]