England can win Euro 2016, says Redknapp

LONDON: If England do not win Euro 2016 they might as well "give up", Harry Redknapp suggested on Friday (Feb 20).

England disappointed badly at the 2014 World Cup, Roy Hodgson's side failing to make it out of their first round group, But Redknapp believes it should be a different story next summer in France with the current crop of young players at England's disposal.

"There are some really talented players and Roy's squad for the Euros is going to the best we've had for some time," the former QPR and Tottenham manager told talkSPORT radio.

"If we don't win the Euros we ought to give up because it is the best opportunity we are going to have. It is a really good group at the moment," he said.

Redknapp, who stepped down as QPR boss this month, singled out the likes of Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Harry Kane and Ross Barkley for special praise and believes they could help England claim their first piece of major silverware since the 1966 World Cup.

He added: "England has got three or four young players emerging now in time for Euro 2016. Roy will have a team that can really compete. I would be disappointed if we do not at least get to the semi-finals and then I could see us having a real go at winning it."

England, who last reached the semi-finals of an international tournament in 1996, are currently top of their qualifying group, with four wins from four games in A Group E which also features Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino.