Gareth Southgate urges England stars to make history as Three Lions prepare for Nations League finals Gareth Southgate has demanded that England seize their opportunity this week The Three Lions can win their first competitive trophy since 1966 in Portugal England face Holland in the semi-finals of the Nations League on Thursday Southgate also stressed the importance of maintaining strong team spirit By Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail Published: 22:38 BST, 4 June 2019 | Updated: 22:56 BST, 4 June 2019 Viewcomments Gareth Southgate has issued a impassioned rallying cry to his England players by urging them to make history this week. The England squad arrive in Portugal Wednesday ahead of their UEFA Nations League semi-final against Holland in Guimaraes on Thursday. And Southgate has demanded his players seize the opportunity of winning England's first competitive trophy since the World Cup in 1966 and start their own legacy of success. Gareth Southgate has demanded that his England stars seize the opportunity this week The Three Lions can win their first competitive trophy since the 1966 World Cup in Portugal The national team boss has held a number of one-on-one meetings with his players and addressed the team collectively at their St George's Park base. The England boss, despite this being the Nations League's inaugural year, has stressed to his players that the tournament should be viewed as a serious trophy. Sportsmail also understands that Southgate has emphasised the importance of maintaining the high levels of team spirit that have been nurtured during the manager's impressive reign. Southgate's orders for the team to stick together is, perhaps, even more prevalent after Liverpool's win over Tottenham in Saturday's Champions League final. Tottenham and Liverpool stars embraced each other after their Champions League final clash as they joined up with the squad ahead the Nations League semi-final clash with Holland Players from both squads have now reported for international duty, but Southgate will not allow any emotions from that night in Madrid to have a detrimental impact on team spirit. Indeed, Tottenham striker Harry Kane and Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, who are England captain and vice captain, respectively, embraced in full view of the rest of the squad after their arrival at St George's Park earlier this week. Southgate has a fully-fit 23-man squad to choose from for Thursday's games against the Dutch. But Southgate has to decide whether Kane, who made his first appearance since April 9 in the clash against Liverpool on Saturday, is fit enough to start against Ronald Koeman's men. Marcus Rashford is expected to play as England's central attacker if captain Kane is named on the bench. Former England defender Rio Ferdinand is being lined up as an FA ambassador for Euro 2020 Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand, who won 81 caps for England, is being lined up as an FA ambassador for Euro 2020. Ferdinand was viewed as one of the best central defenders in Europe during his successful playing career. The next European Championships are being staged across the whole of Europe but Wembley is hosting the final, with Ferdinand viewed as an ideal figurehead for the tournament. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility