“The subject of Marcus Rashford, I guess, will chop a few trees down tomorrow”. Let’s see what happens but after how he played on his debut for England, I’d now be more surprised if he didn’t go.
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Yet he youngster was to write another chapter within three minutes of the start of first England appearance, scoring the opening goal and, nearly certainly, earning his place in Hodgson’s squad for France. “Those things do go through our minds when we are thinking about the tournament and they go through other people’s minds as people know Daniel Sturridge and watch him for Liverpool”.
Rashford was the bright spark for the Three Lions, and the teenager has staked a credible claim to be in Hodgson’s final squad, especially if Daniel Sturridge continues to struggle with injury.
Hodgson added on BBC Radio Five Live: “I’m delighted for Marcus and delighted that he’s received such praise”.
“I was asked if I was nervous about putting him in, could he handle it?”
“He’s shown that only seconds into the game”.
Hodgson chose to bring off Rashford in the 63rd minute, to applause around the ground.
‘I hope he’ll train on Monday but if that’s the case the calf injury won’t be a reason for me to leave him out of the squad.
“He’ll be throwing his hat into the ring”.
“If it turns out that Sturridge’s injury would keep him out and he would be unfit when we played Russian Federation in Marseille that might make a difference”.
It was played in front of a crowd of 46,595 at the Stadium of Light.
Wayne Rooney scored his 52nd England strike after coming off the bench in the second half but an own goal from Tottenham’s Eric Dier made it a nervy last 15 minutes for the hosts.
But while Townsend’s direct runs down the right would have caught Hodgson’s eye, the only telling contribution was that of Dier, who reduced the arrears for Australia by heading Milos Degenek’s cross into his own net on 75 minutes.
“We’re going to really try and challenge for it”.
Liverpool’s Brad Smith and Celtic’s Tomas Rogic featured in Ange Postecoglou’s side for the friendly, as Australia set up with a rigid core.
“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 didn’t have massive expectations and he worked hard and got himself into some good positions”, Postecoglou said. The striker took a solitary touch and then smashed his effort into the top corner to double the lead.
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“I don’t think any of us were surprised and it’s great to see him just keep kicking on from each stage he has been doing this season”.
