England have managed their run to the final of EURO 2020 well, according to former Republic of Ireland Ireland international Packie Bonner.
Bonner, who has been working at the tournament in his capacity as a Technical Adviser to UEFA, was speaking to Brenda Donohue on RTÉ's The Ray D'Arcy Show.
The former Celtic goalkeeper also told the programme that Ireland need to start qualifying for major tournaments again so that they can inspire the next generation.
While England have been perennial underachieves in the modern era, things have been different at the last two major competitions, as they reached the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup and have now backed it up with a run to the final of the Euros.
Bonner believes that Gareth Southgate can take a lot of the credit for the Three Lions' upturn in fortunes.
"England have been building some great stuff for the last while," said the 61-year-old.
"They've created almost a DNA for themselves and I think Gareth Southgate is a great guy. He's been involved with us in some of our technical work.
"He was there in the European Championships in France (2016) and we were working with him. He's very intelligent and he's a guy who stays up with what they're doing in development and that's very important.
"They've had great success at underage level for a number of years and I think that - in and of itself - paved the way for where they are now.
"They've a huge squad and I'm not surprised [they've reached the final].
England have beaten Denmark, the Ukraine and, probably most sweetly for them, Germany on their way to the final. It was a first win over the Germans at a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup final.
The only goal they've conceded in the entire tournament was Mikkel Damsgaard's wonder free-kick for the Danes in the semi-final.
The form Southgate's side have shown led Bonner to compare them to their old enemy.
"They've turned into Germany, haven't they?" he asked.
"They're a very pragmatic and clinical team. They've managed their way through the whole tournament very well.
"The argument will be that they got the best side of the draw. They're at home for six games out of seven, which is incredible, so it's been set up for them.
"If they're ever going to do it this is the year."
Bonner, who played for the Republic of Ireland at three major tournaments, did acknowledge that England won't have it all their own way against Italy, who come into the final on a 33-game unbeaten run.
"They're up against the Roman Gods of Italy," he said.
"[Gianluigi] Donnarumma, [Giorgio] Chiellini, [Leonardo] Bonucci and those kinda guys at the back - they are real Italian guys.
"In front of them are a lot of players with high energy. So it's going to be a real interesting game."
Asked about who he was supporting on Sunday, Bonner, who will be working for UEFA at the final in Wembley, joked, "I'm a very neutral person!"
Follow the Euro 2020 final between Italy and England this Sunday via our live blog on RTÉ.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app, or watch live on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player from 7pm.
