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NATHAN Redmond is three goals away from joining Alan Shearer as England Under-21s’ all-time top-scorer after netting a crucial goal at the European Championships.
But time is running out for the 23-year-old to go level with Shearer and Francis Jeffers, who both command a 13-goal haul.
Redmond will no longer be eligible to play for the under-21s after the European Championships in Poland this month.
That means the St Mary’s star has a maximum of three games to achieve this feat in, with just one group game and potentially the semi-final and final left to go.
Redmond netted the winning goal in the Young Lions’ comeback victory over Slovakia on Monday night to put them top of Group A with a game to go against hosts Poland on Thursday.
The strike, which Saints team-mate James Ward-Prowse set up, saw him take his total to 10 goals in 36 under-21s appearances.
He is now fourth in the scoring rankings behind Saido Berahino (11) and leading pair Jeffers and Shearer, who netted all of his under-21s’ goals while at Saints.
Against Slovakia, Aidy Boothroyd’s side went behind to a Martin Chrien on 22 minutes, edging them towards another disastrous exit from the tournament before Alfie Mawson and Redmond hit back.
“It was a tough first half, we were getting a little frustrated and the manager said to us to just keep our cool and composure and keep playing,” said Redmond.
“That’s what we did and it fell to me today and lucky enough I was there to put it away.
“We got ourselves together at half time in the dressing room, Aidy got us together and relaxed and refocused.
“Alfie’s goal was vital to get us back in the game and then just dug in and kept going. It was a great pass from James Ward-Prowse to find me and there was no other thought in my mind but just to score.”
Redmond, who is playing at his third Euros, knows that hosts Poland will desperate for victory in front of their home fans after losing and drawing their opening games.
But England are ready to show their “grit and determination” once more.
“If you get to the U21 Finals, you are going to be a good team and Sweden were a great side and difficult to break down and it was the same with Slovakia today,” he explained.
“It was important for us to keep believing in ourselves and keep fighting to show the grit and determination to get through.
“We’re not expecting anything less on Thursday, we know we’ve got terrific support back home and we’re aware through social media and that they’re watching and it’s helping us get through.
“We’re not worried about hostile atmospheres as we have players who have played in games in hostile environments before, so we believe in our own ability and in how we play so we want to take that into the games.”
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