Kane: ‘Outstanding’ Rashford deserves England place

Matt Stead

Harry Kane has been as blown away as anyone by Marcus Rashford’s emergence and cannot wait to see the England new boy’s ability up close.

The stand-out news in Monday’s delayed squad announcement was Roy Hodgson’s decision to select the 18-year-old striker, less than three months after making his Manchester United debut.

However, it is a calculated gamble given the stunning way Rashford has broken through at Old Trafford, scoring eight goals in 17 matches for Louis van Gaal’s side.

Rashford joins Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy, Wayne Rooney and Kane as Hodgson’s forwards in the 26-strong provisional squad ahead of Euro 2016, and the latter is looking forward to working with the teenager.

“He’s been outstanding,” Kane said. “Full credit to him, he deserves his place.

“He’s young, he’s come in and shown no fear of playing on the big stage and he’s just expressed himself.

“He’s not been fazed by playing in the Premier League and hopefully he can take that onto the international stage.

“We are looking forward to meeting him when he reports next week, seeing his ability.

“He’s shown – the back end of the season – that he can score goals and he’s a real talent.”

Rashford’s arrival is delayed by Manchester United’s place in the FA Cup final, ruling him out Sunday’s friendly against Turkey.

The teenager is in line to make his senior debut against Australia at the Stadium of Light next Friday, when an impressive display could make Hodgson’s decision on the three players to cut that little bit harder.

“If you’re playing for England, you’re going to have threats for your position,” Kane said of Rashford’s emergence.

“We’re all fighting for our position – no one is secure or a definite starter so we go from now up to the Euros trying to cement our place.

“I will keep working hard and I’m sure he will as well so we’ll see how it goes.”