Young Lions can be the new Owen

GARETH SOUTHGATE has told England’s players that greatness beckons.

The Three Lions boss has challenged Premier League young guns like Harry Kane, Dele Alli (inset), Raheem Sterling (right) and Marcus Rashford to make their mark on the global stage this summer in Russia.

Southgate evoked memories of Michael Owen and David Beckham as he spoke about how legends can be forged at the World Cup.

Southgate said: “You perform in a World Cup and that announces you to the world.

“That’s the beauty of playing in an England shirt. You have the chance to make history in games that really matter and that people will remember forever.

“I was obviously involved as a player in 1998 and players like David Beckham and Michael Owen didn’t even start the first game. By the end of it, they were the two headline-grabbers. It was for slightly different reasons, of course, but I think Michael was 17 or 18 at the time.

“This time we’ve got Harry [Kane], Rash [Marcus Rashford] – any number that could go out there and announce themselves.”

Southgate added: “Look at someone like Dele Alli. When you look at the number of goals and assists this year he is right up there, certainly in terms of English players.

“He is still only 22 and I think that his numbers now are ahead of where Steven Gerrard and other people were at his age.

“Dele is already an outstanding player and he’s going to get better because of his age and desire. He has a hunger.

“We have some exciting players. That’s how it should be. It shouldn’t be that anybody is a guaranteed starter no matter how they play every week.”