Unearthed footage shows Eric Dier has always been pretty good at free kicks

HE scored a sublime goal against Russia but new footage shows we should not be surprised at Eric Dier’s abilities.

By Simon Green

When the Spurs and England midfielder stepped up to take the free-kick very few people knew just how good he was at them.

Dier is not known for his finishing but more his defensive abilities and was a key player in almost guiding Tottenham Hotspur to the title this season.

But new footage from his early days playing in Portugal show he always had it in his locker.

The video from 2012 shows Dier stepping up to take a similar set piece, this time for Sporting B.

CRACKER: Eric Dier surprised many when he scored a sublime free-kick for England

PEACH: New footage suggests he may always have had it in his locker

And he puts the ball away in almost the exact same way he did for England.

It is the same position, with a player running over the ball and Dier hammering it to the same side.

Unfortunately the midfielder’s stunning finish could not deliver the three points to England on Saturday (June 11).

They ended up drawing 1-1 with Russia thanks to a late equaliser.

But the match was marred by fan violence from both sets of supporters.

It has resulted in UEFA handing Russia a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016.

England have also been warned they could face disqualification.