Rashford 'one of the best' says England U21s' Nathan Redmond

Nathan Redmond believes England Under-21s hot-shot Marcus Rashford is up there with the best strikers he has played with for the Three Lions.

The Southampton star lined-up alongside Rashford for the first time last week as Gareth Southgate’s side clocked up a 6-1 win over Norway, with the Manchester United striker netting a hat-trick on his debut.

And after previously playing alongside the likes of Harry Kane, Danny Ings and Saido Berahino for the U21s, Redmond says his latest new team-mate is up there with the best.

"He's different to Saido Berahino, Harry Kane and Danny Ings," revealed the former Birmingham City and Norwich City forward.

"They all have different qualities and pose different threats at that level.

"But Marcus' direct pace and how he’s quite unorthodox with the ball, along with his finishing, is up there with some of the best that I've seen at U21 level.

"They're all top class strikers though."

Rashford’s appearance in Colchester came after a week with Southgate’s squad for the first time, having previously been capped at U16, U18 and U20 level before his elevation into the senior squad for Euro 2016 this summer, following his blistering form at the end of last season.

And Redmond said it was an easy process of settling in for the 18-year-old, who quickly knuckled down in training and was an instantly popular member of the group.

"He's come into the group fairly well and he knew most of the boys before he got here anyway," added Redmond.

"The U21s is a fantastic group to come into because the environment is easy going, right from all of the players down to the staff.

"He's come in and has worked hard in training and has been able to show his qualities.

"He's a kid, just 18, and is football mad so if he keeps his head down, he's going to be one hell of a player.

"We've got good players, it's a very strong squad and competition for places is really high, so if he's with us it's an added bonus."

The U21s are in action again next month, when they face a trip to Kazakhstan on Thursday 6 October before returning to home soil and playing Bosnia & Herzegovina in their final qualifying game at Walsall on Tuesday 11 October.

Southgate’s men know that a victory in either of those games will be enough to secure top spot in group 9 and qualification for next summer’s Euro Finals in Poland.

Tickets for the game at the Banks’s Stadium in Walsall are on sale now, priced at £1. Click here to purchase tickets or call 01922 651414.