On-loan Southampton defender Jason McCarthy has spoken to the press ahead of Friday's League One clash with Shrewsbury Town,and has discussed a variety of topics including his friendship with Liverpool's Adam Lallana, his England aspirations and what is best for his career.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Jason said; "Adam Lallana is really good with me. He gives me loads of little tips every now and again. When I scored two at Bury, he picked the phone up. Things like that mean a lot. His rise has been incredible but it’s deserved.
"He has got so much talent and he has worked so hard on the areas of his game he wasn’t so good at – that is why he is where he is now. That is why I will always work on my game. I will always listen. I want to get to the top as well."
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McCarthy, who is out of contract the end of the season, then went on to discuss his desire to play for England, but insisted that a permanent move down the football pyramid would not prevent him from representing the Three Lions, he said; "In terms of my career I don’t think I should rule out anything for the moment. A lot of the players I know, like Lallana, at 22, he was playing in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final and in League One. Now look at him.
"That story is being told more and more. You get a lot of players who play in League One and go on to play for their country.
"When I say I want to make it to the top that is what I mean. I don’t want to rule out anything. I want to get to the Premier League but time is on my side and I’m not thinking about it just yet. Right now I am thinking about the next step. Making sure I do what is best for my career. I want to keep improving and carrying on this wave."
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