Saints striker Rickie Lambert has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming friendly against Scotland.

Its ironic that Lambert should get a call up to the England squad now, in truth its probably come 12 -18 months too late, back then Lambert truly deserved a chance, but this call up comes at a time when Lambert is not in the best form of his Saints career, with only 4 goals since the arrival of new boss Pochettino he didn't finish last season with a flourish, wasn't considered good enough for the post season matches etc, so why is he considered good enough suddenly now.

Let me say how delighted I am for Rickie himself that he gets this recognition and I truly hope he gets on the pitch and wins an England cap it would be the final piece of his fairytale rise at Saints which has seen him go from lower league journeyman to potential England International, as a Saints fan Im delighted but as an England fan Im not.

That's not to take anything away from Rickie as a player, I have cheered his goals as much as the next Saints fan and recognise just what he has done for this club and continues to do for this club, but from an England perspective its a step backward, giving a first cap to a player who will be 32 in a little over 5 months is not looking to the future and lets be blunt Saints wouldn't sign a 31 year old forward would they !!

But I don't want to labour on the negative points for England, I want to go on a few plus points, if ever a player deserves the call up in the Premier League its Ricky, what a great swansong it would be for him to score for England, score regularly in the Premier and then go to Brazil next summer if England qualify, sadly I fear that although Ricky could well do the firs t parts of this dream, the last part wont happen, we all know that once all the prima donnas suddenly declare themselves fit again for the games that matter after their mysterious iinjuries that keep them out of this game, Roy Hodgson will discard Rickie and put in the superstars.

Good luck to Rickie Lambert every Saints fan is behind you.

Photo: Action Images

Butty101 added 13:59 - Aug 8 If anyone could find a negative slant it would be you. How can you comment on his form when its preseason..... Where England is concerned it should never be build for tomorrow as theres to many variables. Play the best players today. Well done SRL
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SaintNick added 14:04 - Aug 8 no negatives just my opinion, yes your right about form, so why is he picked now and not at the end of last season or indeed a year ago
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slynch added 14:21 - Aug 8 Well dun Woy, well dun Wickie! 'ow come Wooney's in - I fort e wuz a werserve and wounded
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brady100 added 14:22 - Aug 8 Wow. First of all reading into what RH said in Brazil, Rickie would have been called up then, but for his back injury he was suffering from at the end of last season. You seem to be forgetting the world cup is only next year, its up to Rickie to show this season that he is worthy of his place. Yes it will be a challnege with a fully fit squad but taking into account our lack of firepower up front I think he has every chance.

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SaintDavo added 14:54 - Aug 8 It's an IF and maybe a very big IF, but just imagine the deafening silence in Skateland if Rickie scores a crucial world cup qualifying goal or in the world cup itself....let the dream begin....Well done Rickie...very well deserved. He will do himself and saints very proud.
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REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 15:18 - Aug 8 What a huge incentive for Lambert! Play out of his skin for Saints (and England) and he could be at the World Cup in Brazil!! Amazing! This is a massive boost for Rickie and for the club. I think he'll only come on as a sub against Scotland but if he makes an impact and scores then he should be included in the next squad and who knows.... 93 goals in 170 appearances for Saints. Superb strike rate. Thoroughly well deserved!! This type of thing will only spur on the likes of Lallana, Rodriguez, Shaw and Clyne to make a late push for that World Cup chance.

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ExiledSupporter added 16:21 - Aug 8 Yes, while I share St Nick's well based reservations about RL genuine England class, there is little doubt that most of the England forwards are substandard. Just look at the few goals scored in the league by apparently automatic choices like Wellbeck, before ruling RL out. I'm delighted that a paucity of 'fit' players give him perhaps his only chance...and I hope he makes the most of it!

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