Dele Alli insists England stars are stronger for their Iceland humiliation at Euro 2016

DELE ALLI believes England’s Euro 2016 flop has made him and his Three Lions team-mates stronger.

The Tottenham star, 21, was a member of Roy Hodgson’s squad which performed so badly in France two years ago.

The nation does not need to be reminded  England  were knocked out  by minnows Iceland in the last 16 — resulting in Hodgson being axed.

Dele is now hoping to avoid a repeat at this summer’s World Cup in Russia, with Gareth Southgate now at the helm.

The midfielder said: “Hopefully it will be a different story this time. Everyone’s on a journey and every day I’m experiencing more — you try to learn from it all.

“The Euros was one of the best and worst experiences of my career at the same time. Growing up, you watch the big tournaments on TV.

“You see the flags flying out of the windows and how much it means to the country — to be part of it was massive. But the way it ended in France was a huge disappointment.

“As a team, it would have been easy to hide, not to look back on it and get it out of our memories. But it was important we went through it, so that it doesn’t happen again. I think as a team, and as individuals, we’re stronger from going through that.”

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Inevitably, the squad were heavily criticised after their shock exit.

Dele recalled: “It was a sad time. We felt that we had not only let our country down, but we had let ourselves down.

“As soon as I came back to Tottenham, I spoke to the manager and the other boys in the squad. I knew we had to get on with it, to keep improving.

“You can’t let it drag you down — you have to look forward and do whatever you need  to make it right.

“I definitely think we’ve gained from it.  You never know what will happen in a tournament — but as a team we feel stronger. It’s important that we learn from it together.”

England stars have often been accused of not taking their club form to the international stage.

Dele admitted: “It’s different, because at Tottenham we are training together every day.

“When you go to England, you are with different players, it’s important we work together. But everyone wants to play well for their country. Maybe I haven’t scored as many for England as I would’ve liked — but I’m helping the team and still trying to get into that starting XI in every game.”

Having grown up on a council estate in Milton Keynes, Dele admits he is now living the dream.

He said: “Every kid wants to play at a World Cup, so to have the chance is a bit surreal.

“I remember wearing England shirts to school when the World Cup was on as a kid. Seeing people in their gardens, music playing, flags everywhere.

“We are looking to make new memories and be part of something great.  It’s important you don’t forget where you come from — and what you’ve done to get where you are.”

 DELE ALLI was speaking at the launch of the Tottenham Hotspur Community Football League — a new initiative delivered by  the Club’s Foundation, alongside Haringey Council and the Met Police — to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough.