RAHEEM STERLING praised England boss Roy Hodgson for helping to put back his career on track and hopes him and his teammates can win England the European championships.
The Manchester City star revealed that Hodgson’s influence and tactics had played a major part in lifting his game at a time when he appeared to be struggling with injury and form.
Sterling, whose performance in the 2-1 warm up win over Australia, said the England manager’s decision to give him a role operating more in the middle had given him a huge boost.
“It’s a position I can get in behind and I’m closer to the goal,” he said. “Some times I been drawn into staying out too wide, but against Australia I got closer to the box and created stuff.
“It’s really a positive when the manager tells you every time you get the ball that he wants you to go forward. I’m most definitely enjoying my football.
“If I don’t go forward he has a dig at me, and that’s something I’m relishing and really enjoy.
“When someone really pushes you to want to go forward and play.”
Sterling admitted that his England form has more than made up for the disappointments he suffered with Manchester City last season.
“It was frustrating when injury kicked in and I had to get back into the team.
“That’s what happens when you’ve got top players around you, you’ve got to work to get back.
“But I was really looking forward to coming away with England and hopefully booking my place in France.
“Working with Roy over the last few years means he knows me as well. So hopefully I can really show him that I’ve got something to make a positive impact in the tournament.”
And thats precisely what Sterling now expects England to do in the Euros .
“We’re going into the tournament to do well, not just play on it, but to really try to challenge for it.
“We just need to listen to the manager and take heed because some of his tactics and formations have really worked for us.
“We’ve got players in every department who can affect teams,”
