Football
PA Sport 6y

Gareth Southgate pep talk helped Nathan Redmond get over U21 woe

Nathan Redmond has revealed a summer pep talk from England boss Gareth Southgate helped him overcome his penalty heartache.

The Southampton forward missed the crucial spot kick in England Under-21s' Euro 2017 semifinal shootout defeat to Germany in June.

It was his last touch for the Young Lions as he became too old to represent Aidy Boothroyd's side and he left Tychy in tears.

England went out 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time but senior boss Southgate, who missed his own crucial semifinal spot kick when England lost to Germany at Euro 96, has offered Redmond words of wisdom.

Speaking for the first time about the miss Redmond told Press Association Sport: "He called me to see how I was doing. The England penalty miss was one of the biggest things to happen to him, he's told us about death threats and not being able to go out.

"He reiterated all of that to me and told me to relax and that it was more important for me to work hard to get into the senior side than it would be to dwell on it. The only person to pay for it would be me.

"It's a massive learning period in my life. At the time I wanted the ground to swallow me up but I had to face everything which came with it.

"I'm the person who has to look in the mirror and be happy. It's part of my past and the one thing which hit me the most was it was the last time playing for the England youth set-up.

"It's a transition period now going from a young player to a fully established Premier League player."

He is now aiming to regain his place back in the senior squad after being left out by Southgate since making his debut against Germany in March.

"It's always been the aim for a few seasons," said the 23-year-old. "I managed to do it March and it gave me a bit more motivation to come back. If I put my performances right with Southampton I'll be back."

Redmond was speaking after becoming an ambassador for children's charity Right To Play, which uses sport and play to educate and help children in some of the world's most disadvantaged communities.

The former Norwich and Birmingham man is also donating to the charity and wants to spread the word of their good work.

"Football has played a massive part in my life and while I wasn't fortunate enough to have both parents around I had a very strong mother who has always supported me," he said.

"I'm with the message Right To Play are putting forward which is to give disadvantaged kids over the world the chance to get involved in sport and to get an education. I want to push that message out there."

^ Back to Top ^