Jamie Vardy hopes England can build momentum

22 May 2016 21:23

Jamie Vardy hopes England can now build some momentum for Euro 2016 after firing the winner in a friendly victory over Turkey.

Leicester striker Vardy struck for the third England game in succession as Roy Hodgson's men won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Asked about his scoring record, Premier League title-winner Vardy said: "I hope it continues - but the main thing is we wanted to get a win. We knew it was going to be hard, Turkey are a good team and made life difficult, but we managed to get the win.

"We want to keep winning as a team and keep a winning mentality going. We will be looking towards next week's game now and looking at getting another win and keeping that progression going to the Euros. With the team we have got we are capable of going forward."

Harry Kane shot England into a third-minute lead before Turkey replied through Hakan Calhanoglu 10 minutes later.

Vardy, who spent most of the first half out wide, moved into a central position after the break and won a penalty but Kane missed from the spot. Vardy settled the contest seven minutes from time as he pounced from close range following a corner.

Vardy, who is taking time out from England's Euro preparations to get married on Wednesday, said: "Luckily I think I kicked it against his head and it's managed to go in. It's on target, so I'll take that goal."

The penalty Vardy won bore similarities to an incident in a Leicester game against West Ham last month in which the Foxes striker was sent off for diving, but he insisted there was no doubt about contact.

He said: "There was contact on the back of my leg and I couldn't stay on my feet. If the ref wanted to give it the other way he would do that, but he is a professional referee and he gave it as a penalty, so there you go, it is a penalty."

Kane was disappointed to miss from the spot but has no intention of shirking such responsibilities in future.

The Tottenham forward said: "I probably tried to be a bit too precise and went for a bit more power than usual, but it happens. I'll be first to step up if called upon and try to put it in the back of the net.

"I'll be on the training field working on it and hopefully the next one will go in."

Kane also believes there were some good signs from the team.

He said: "It was a good win against a tough side. Of course there is stuff we can work on, we know that, but overall I thought we were the better side and we deserved the win."

Of his goal, Kane said: "Dele Alli got another nutmeg, which he seems to do a lot, and it fell nicely to me. I was happy to put it in the back of the net."

Source: PA