Vardy Hails ‘Unbelievable’ Wembley Experience

- Vardy came off the bench to set up Raheem Sterling for England’s second goal 

- The striker says it is a ‘honour’ to be the first Leicester City player to appear at Wembley since Emile Heskey in 2000 

- Vardy keen to stake his claim for a spot in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad when England face Lithuania on Monday night 

Friday night was a moment to savour for Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, as he came off the bench to make his Wembley debut for England in front of over 80,000 Three Lions supporters. 

The Barclays Premier League top scorer became the first Leicester City player to feature at the national stadium since Emile Heskey played at the old Wembley back in 2000. 

With Roy Hodgson’s side 1-0 up against Estonia, Vardy replaced Arsenal striker Theo Walcott with just eight minutes to go but wasted no time in helping England wrap up the three points by brilliantly setting up Raheem Sterling for the second goal at the far post. 

Going into the match, Hodgson’s men had already booked their spot at Euro 2016 but were keen to maintain their incredible 100 per cent record in qualifying, while the players were all aiming to make their cases for a place in next summer’s squad. 

“It is unbelievable,” said Vardy after his first Wembley appearance. “Obviously to get any minutes in any game for your country is a massive honour but to do it at Wembley is amazing. I have managed to set Raheem up at the end as well. 

“I didn’t know it had been that long since a Leicester player had played at Wembley for England. I think it has been kept quiet around the Club. It is an honour. It has been a long wait but hopefully there will be more to come. I have to keep showing what I can do and hopefully on Monday we will see if I can get more minutes.” 

Monday night sees Hodgson’s men attempt to wrap up qualification with a perfect ten wins from ten matches as they travel to Lithuania, and Vardy will be hoping to have a similar impact to Friday night if given the chance either from the start or from the bench.

He added: “This is a great opportunity for me to show what I can do. I have been selected in three squads now and if I keep performing the way I have in the Premier League then who is to say I won’t keep getting into the squad in the future. 

“It is not a dead rubber for any of us. We want to finish with a perfect record going into the friendlies, which are preparation for the Euros. But also we are playing for places and I hope I can go out and put in a good performance.”