​ST PETERSBURG: Harry Kane has grabbed the​ ​World Cup​ ​attention for England​ ​because of his goals​ ​along the way to Tuesday’s kncokojut clash with Colombia but he is not the only important member​ ​of a​ new generation brought through by Gareth Southgate, the manager who has risen to the top with them.

Jesse Lingard has been contributing over the past​ ​two​ ​years as a winger, as an attacking playmaker and also now as a scorer of superb goals such as England’s third in their 6-1 group G defeat of Panama. The 25-year-old curled an angled shot into the top corner of goal after a neat exchange of passes with Raheem Sterling.​ ​It was his second for his country in 14 appearances.

Lingard probably had been allowed greater freedom to ‘play’ because of the injury absence of Dele Alli. Not all managers like to pick out individual players but Southgate has​ ​had​ no problem talking up the qualities of a player who has not always been appreciated consistently at Manchester United.

​Southgate said: “I was really pleased for Jesse with his goal because his performances for us in our recent matches have warranted that reward. He has looked more comfortable in the environment every time he has come to us.

“He is an intelligent footballer. I like his understanding of the game and he can play wide, as a forward or as a No10. Physically he’s always been a slightly late developer but showing patience and belief is what has been brilliant about United over the years.”

Lingard never had any doubt about his ambition, even as a small boy. England’s players were encouraged to bring with them to Russia some personal photos to be framed and put up in the rooms. Lingard chose a picture of himself as a seven-year-old, wearing a Manchester United kit with a ball at his feet.

Sir Alex Ferguson once compared him with the outstanding French midfielder Jean Tigana despite his lack of height and weight.

Louis van Gaal recognised Lingard’s potential and gave him a first proper run in the United side as a winger. Then along came Jose Mourinho who educated Lingard into his defensive responsibilities and how to adapt his skills to the overall needs of the team.

Last season Lingard scored 13 goals in all competitions, more than doubling his career tally. Yet former United midfielder Paul Scholes believes Southgate deserves even more credit than Mourinho.

Scholes said: “Jesse was a late developer and sometimes, when things aren’t going well at United, it’s as if he is the first man taken off. But Gareth really believes in him and that’s why he has flourished. The result is that his form for England has been ​​fantastic.”

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