England A ‘Brilliant’ Experience For Vardy

- City striker makes full debut in a 6-0 win over San Marino 

- England qualify for Euro 2016 following that victory 

- Vardy an unused substitute as England follow up with a 2-0 win over Switzerland 

When Jamie Vardy scored his first goals for Fleetwood Town in the Football League Conference, few could have imagined that four years later he would be starting for England. 

But that’s exactly what happened for City’s in-form striker, who made his full debut for The Three Lions away to San Marino, helping them not only to a 6-0 win, but also to Euro 2016 qualification in the process. 

He was also an unused substitute as Roy Hodson’s men beat Switzerland 2-0 at Wembley – a million miles from the tricky away trip to Kettering he faced with Fleetwood four years and two days prior to his full England bow. 

Vardy netted twice in a 3-2 win to announce himself to the Cod Army that day, with his first goal coming inside a minute. Now he’s looking to make an impression at both Premier League and international level. 

“It’s been brilliant," Vardy told of his England experience. “Obviously getting picked [for the squad] again can only be good. 

“Obviously the group is close, but every single one of them makes you feel welcome and that’s how it is. If something is going off as a team then everyone goes. Some go golfing and some go to the cinema – it’s completely up to you. As a group they’re absolutely brilliant. There are no bad eggs or anything and that’s how it should be.” 

Vardy’s 90 minutes against San Marino will certainly have impressed, but on a tough pitch he admits he had to work hard to find his rhythm and eventually help England secure an impressive win. 

“I was absolutely over the moon to get 90 minutes,” he said. “The pitch wasn’t the best but that’s how it is, you’re going to get that. They made it hard for us, we managed to get the breakthrough and get a convincing win. 

“You’re expected to win but it’s never that easy. There’s not much space so you’ve got to keep moving the ball, wait for opportunities to arise and take advantage of them when you can.”