Gareth Southgate is the ‘geek’ who will make England fire, says Ian Wright

THERE are plenty of wise guys who reckon Gareth Southgate looks more like a computer geek than the man to rescue England.

But anyone who thinks he’s the nerdy kid in the classroom is in for a massive shock.

For if it came to rolling up his sleeves and taking on the school bully, Gareth would be more than happy to do that.

And I’ll tell you something else as well — I know who I’d put my money on.

People only seem to remember Southgate the player for missing in the Euro 96 shootout against the Germans.

Keep up to date with all the latest football news, gossip, transfers and goals

But that shows as much ignorance as it does disrespect, because he was a top footballer who didn’t drop many clangers.

I’m sure it will be the same story as a manager - even if he isn’t the so-called sexy name, the all-conquering, trophy-packed boss all those critics demand.

They seem to have forgotten we’ve had one of those already. You couldn’t get a more impressive CV than Fabio Capello’s, but his reign was hardly full of glorious triumphs.

Sven-Goran Eriksson and Roy Hodgson were not exactly short of experience, either, yet under them England took more steps backwards than forwards.

Steve McClaren did nothing and Graham Taylor’s successes had been a few promotions.

Young, old, experienced, naive . . . we’ve had the lot over the years and still been no nearer to success.

The fact is, Gareth is the outstanding candidate for the role right now and, as such, we should all be happy with his appointment and totally supportive.

Personally, I am delighted for the guy and one million per cent behind him.

I’m sure even Southgate would say the job has come a few years earlier than he maybe hoped or planned. But that doesn’t mean he won’t be up to it, any more than a nice-guy image should suggest he won’t handle the pressure, the characters or the demands.

This is a man who was captain of Crystal Palace at 24 — and there were plenty of strong personalities in that dressing room.

The first time I saw him, as a first-team newcomer at Palace, Andy Gray was making comments about what he looked like. Steve Coppell just said to Gareth: “Show him your qualifications, that will shut him up.”

Yes, he’s  intelligent but he did not take long to show his leadership qualities and as a defender, he is better than any we have right now.

After the Iceland debacle, don’t forget we had 81,000 for the home game against Malta, all desperate to see a successful England.

We want to see them playing with tempo, with something to cheer again. Why can’t Gareth deliver that?

This is a man who Arsene Wenger said nine years ago had the attributes to eventually become England boss. That day is now here.

And, as a footballing centre-back himself, who’s to say he isn’t the ideal man to take John Stones, for example, to the next level?

Be happy for him, be happy for England, and give him your unswerving support.

I know I will.