Previously, some players have stood stony-faced without bothering to sing.

A source said: “The players have been a credit to England throughout this tournament. A few people at the FA felt they should all be singing God Save the Queen and Hodgson communicated this and it has worked.

“It’s a big year for the country with the Jubilee and Olympics — it was important the football team played a part.”

Meanwhile Hodgson has organised ANOTHER musical boost by lifting predecessor Fabio Capello’s ban on tunes in the players’ dressing room.

The wily coach has installed a sound system and allows players to plug in their iPods to blast out inspiring tunes before matches.

Three Lions insiders say the music has boosted team spirit — and should get them into the groove again for Sunday’s quarter-final with Italy in Kiev.

England kit man Tommy McKechnie, 50, said yesterday: “There’s a lot more noise in the dressing room before games under Roy Hodgson and it seems to have helped fire the lads up.

“I’ve been with them before all three games out here and there’s always been music playing — it helps them bond collectively as a team.

“Under Mr Capello, communal music was banned in the dressing room and the atmosphere was very different.

“He even banned them from using their mobile phones on the team bus.

“You can still feel the tension before kick-off, but there’s now a great sense of professionalism and purpose.”

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