Leicester City’s rising star expects England Under-21s to perform at the Euros next summer

Leicester City’s Demarai Gray believes England Under-21s can do what the senior side failed to this summer by tasting European glory.

Gray scored the goal which sent the Three Lions into the European Under-21 Championships next summer after their 1-0 win over Kazakhstan in Thursday’s qualifier in Aktobe.

While the Under-21s have been without their usual boss Gareth Southgate after he took over the senior side on a temporary basis, the age group team still won Group 9 with a game to spare this week.

England’s failure to progress at this summer’s European Championships cost Roy Hodgson his job as Sam Allardyce and then Southgate took the reins.

Demarai Gray celebrates scoring for England Under-21s at Kazakhstan. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

But Gray has no concerns about the Under-21s when they head to Poland in June.

“It will be my first competitive tournament,” said Gray.

“We have a good bunch of lads here. As long as we keep doing what we have been doing to get us there, I think we will have a successful tournament.”

England Under-21s’ temporary boss Aidy Boothroyd added: “[Nathan] Redmond did very well and Demarai took his goal very well.

“That is what this group are capable of. This is another stamp in their passport, learning to deal with coming away and doing a job.”