Rickie Lambert deserves England World Cup place, claims Matt Le Tissier
|
03:00 |
No comments |
Southampton legend dismisses age problems and tips current Saints striker to win a spot on the plane to Brazil in 2014
Matt Le Tissier has backed Southampton forward Rickie Lambert to make
England's World Cup squad, should they qualify for next summer's
tournament.
Lambert has scored twice in his first three internationals and was given the nod to lead the line in Ukraine earlier this month, with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge out injured.
And former Saints favourite Le Tissier insists there is every possibility Lambert will make the World Cup, even if Roy Hodgson has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
He told BBC Sport: "If he has a goalscoring season like last year, I see no reason why he can't get himself a ticket on that plane to Brazil.
"Rickie has put himself in Roy Hodgson's thoughts. I don't think we're overly blessed with attacking options at the moment."
Having progressed through the lower leagues, Lambert enjoyed a dream start to his England career, heading the winner against Scotland with his first touch before striking at home to Moldova.
And with Andy Carroll likely to miss next month's crucial Group H Qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland, the 31-year-old looks set to be called upon again.
Le Tissier, who was inducted into the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame this week, insists that while there may be questions over his age, Lambert has more than enough quality to ensure England progress.
"What Rickie has done has been phenomenal," he added.
"Not many players have made their international debuts past 30. But he is a hero at Southampton and has enough quality to make a difference at international level."
Lambert has scored twice in his first three internationals and was given the nod to lead the line in Ukraine earlier this month, with Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge out injured.
And former Saints favourite Le Tissier insists there is every possibility Lambert will make the World Cup, even if Roy Hodgson has a fully-fit squad to choose from.
He told BBC Sport: "If he has a goalscoring season like last year, I see no reason why he can't get himself a ticket on that plane to Brazil.
"Rickie has put himself in Roy Hodgson's thoughts. I don't think we're overly blessed with attacking options at the moment."
Having progressed through the lower leagues, Lambert enjoyed a dream start to his England career, heading the winner against Scotland with his first touch before striking at home to Moldova.
And with Andy Carroll likely to miss next month's crucial Group H Qualifiers against Montenegro and Poland, the 31-year-old looks set to be called upon again.
Le Tissier, who was inducted into the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame this week, insists that while there may be questions over his age, Lambert has more than enough quality to ensure England progress.
"What Rickie has done has been phenomenal," he added.
"Not many players have made their international debuts past 30. But he is a hero at Southampton and has enough quality to make a difference at international level."
0 comments:
Post a Comment