Saints striker Rickie Lambert came off the bench for England at Wembley last night (August 14) to snatch a win against Scotland and said it was the moment he had been dreaming about “all my life”.
Rickie Lambert
The 31-year-old – joint top English scorer in the Premier League last season with Frank Lampard – powered a header into the back of the net with his first touch of the ball.
The header sealed England’s comeback in the friendly against Scotland – twice they had fallen behind before finally winning 3-2.
But Lambert could and should have had a hat-trick – with one effort bobbling off his shin to hit the post and then a tame shot easily collected by Scotland ‘keeper Allan McGregor.
“It was a corner, obviously I fancied myself, and what a ball,” Rickie told ITV.
“Leighton Baines put it exactly where I wanted it, and I got rid of my marker.”
Earlier Theo Walcott had equalised for England after a mistake from goalkeeper Joe Hart allowed James Morrison’s long-range shot to sneak in. Danny Welbeck’s neatly flicked header made the scores 2-2 after Kenny Miller had fired in from the edge of the penalty area early in the second half.
Lambert joined Saints for £1m in 2009, when they were in League One, after stints at Blackpool, Macclesfield, Stockport, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers.
His goals helped the club win successive promotions and he was an influential figure in the top flight last season.
England manager Roy Hodgson was full of praise for the Saints striker’s impact on the squad this week.
“He’s been so enthusiastic,” Hodgson said. “He’s been like a young boy with a new toy ever since he joined us.
“We believe in him and, funnily enough, when he came on the first thing Gary Neville said to me was ‘he’s going to get us a goal’.
“He almost got us three – he certainly got us a very good one and was very close to two others.
“I’m delighted for him. He’s a man who’s worked very, very hard for this chance and done it the hard way, and now he’s crowned his debut with a goal.
“He’s technically a very good player and has great composure in front of goal, as we saw today.”