Roy Hodgson not surprised by Marcus Rashford impact on international debut

27 May 2016 22:53

Roy Hodgson was delighted to see striker Marcus Rashford mark his England debut with a goal but stopped short of rubber-stamping the 18-year-old's place at Euro 2016.

Rashford continued his compelling rise to prominence in Sunderland, volleying home after a neat move involving Raheem Sterling after just two minutes and 18 seconds of the 2-1 win over Australia.

In that moment the Manchester United rookie looked to the manor born, celebrating calmly and seeming less surprised than his team-mates that he had just become the youngest England debutant to find the net.

The true shock now would be if he was one of the two squad members cut by Hodgson before UEFA's Tuesday deadline, particularly with Daniel Sturridge sidelined again by a calf injury.

Hodgson's words suggested he has found a talent he is keen to see more of but he offered no promises ahead of Tuesday's UEFA deadline.

"What a debut. I'm pleased for him," he said.

"The subject of Marcus Rashford, I guess, will chop a few trees down tomorrow. I thought he did well.

"But I wasn't surprised with the way he played. He was always one of the players who was seriously competing for a place in the 23 and he's done his chances of travelling with us no harm.

"But nothing changes in that respect because we wouldn't have him with us in the 26 if we didn't think he was a serious contender for the 23.

"Let's wait and see...I've got until Tuesday to name my squad but he wouldn't be out of place in anyone's 23."

Hodgson added on BBC Radio Five Live: "I'm delighted for Marcus and delighted that he's received such praise. I'm also delighted that my decision to thrust him into the side was not proved to be ridiculous.

"He's shown that only seconds into the game."

The clamour to take Rashford will surely ratchet up further in the coming days, and that puts Sturridge firmly under the microscope.

The Liverpool forward was not among the substitutes on Friday, taking his place alongside Football Association staff in the stand, and is expected to train over the weekend.

He is not involved in a straight head-to-head with Rashford, Hodgson potentially considering bringing all five strikers.

Assessing Sturridge's status, Hodgson added: "He has a minor injury and we hope it will settle down.

"He'll be throwing his hat into the ring. If it turns out his injury would keep him out the Euros or he would be unfit when we play Russia, that might make a difference.

"But I have no indication the seriousness of the injury is such it is putting his chances in jeopardy at all."

Hodgson utilised two formations at the Stadium of Light, with Rashford and Sterling atop a diamond in the first 45 minutes and then operating either side of Wayne Rooney after he came from the bench at half-time.

The England captain scored their second, and his 52nd at this level, with a powerful drive in the 55th minute.

The two-goal cushion was halved 15 minutes from time when Eric Dier, operating in the back four after Chris Smalling suffered cramp, stooped in front of Fraser Forster to nod in a clumsy own-goal.

Hodgson sees the versatile Tottenham man as cover for his three specialist centre-backs and did not appear overly shaken by his error.

"We wanted to give Eric a bit of a go at centre-back. After his goal tonight I'm tempted to give him a go at centre forward in the next game," he quipped.

Australia coach Ange Postecoglou was content with what he saw from the Socceroos.

"I was particularly pleased with the first half, we controlled the game for large parts and I was pleased with our intent," he said.

"We had some objectives coming in and we wanted to test our brand of football against quality opposition. I thought we came out on the positive side of the ledger."

On Rashford, he added: "I guess he's on that wave now where he feels pretty good about himself.

"Strikers thrive on goals and he took his goal well. Aside from that I thought we handled him okay, but he gets measured on goals and he got one."

Source: PA