England youth chief pleased to see Rangers loan star Nathan Oduwa shining for club and country

And boss Keith Downing is confident there is plenty more to come from the 19-year-old as he looks to make his name in the game.

After starring for Mark Warburton’s side in the opening weeks of the campaign, Oduwa has been given a chance to showcase his talents for England’s Under-20 side in their matches against Holland and Turkey.

Next up for the winger is a meeting with tournament hosts Germany today as he bids to help his country to a third successive win and a triumph in the Mercedes-Benz Elite Cup.

It has been a new environment and new challenge for Oduwa as he attempts to further enhance the burgeoning reputation he has already increased following a string of impressive performances for Rangers.

And Downing is pleased to see the on-loan Tottenham starlet making the most of his opportunities after turning on the style for the Light Blues so far this term.

“Nathan has had a spell where he hasn’t featured for England for a while but he has done well at Rangers and he interested us,” Downing told SportTimes.

“It is a good chance for him to develop and he has done well. It is a chance for him to show what he can do. The 20s is a bridging gap for Under-21 football.

Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball

“It is a friendly tournament and is a chance for the players to impress Gareth Southgate and stake a claim for the 21s.

“The biggest thing is for them to get experience at first team level and Nathan going to Rangers has helped his game

“He is with a good coach there in Mark Warburton and they will work well with him. He has got potential and he is getting more good experiences at Rangers.”

Having spent time on loan at Luton Town last term, Oduwa made the move to Ibrox in the summer determined to catch the eye and shine in the Championship.

The forward has been capped at Under-17 and Under-18 levels for his country and has now made another step up as he looks to prove to Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino he can stake a claim for a place in his White Hart Lane plans next term.

There is, of course, a considerable difference between the challenges on offer in the Scottish Championship and English Premier League.

But Downing is pleased to see Oduwa handling another change in scenery as he has taken his fine domestic form into the international arena.

Nathan Oduwa

He said: “It is another level on, international football, and is maybe not as robust or physical, but technically you have to be good.

“Nathan certainly has those attributes and he has been more than comfortable at this level. I had no doubts about him.

“I got recommended him and I wanted to have a look at him and for him to come into the group. It is a nervous time for him because it is a new challenge but he has done well.”

After arriving at Ibrox alongside Spurs team-mate Dominic Ball earlier this summer, Oduwa wasted little time in grabbing the headlines north of the border.

He was involved in a controversy in the aftermath of his debut against Alloa after being accused of ‘showboating’ with an array of tricks and flicks.

His performance in the 5-0 win over Raith was one of the finest of the season by a Gers star, and Downing knows the winger will always look to entertain.

He said: “I have seen it (the Alloa incident) but I wouldn’t get involved in all that.

“He is a flair player, he has got the ability to do these things.

“He has to do it within the terms of the game and I am sure Mark will give him a proper education.

“He is certainly a talented boy and you want him to express himself, but within those parameters. I am sure he has got the right people around him to guide him.”

Oduwa will round off his hat-trick of England fixtures against Germany today before returning to Ibrox and turning his attentions back to Rangers’ Championship title challenge.

The Englishman left the Light Blue legions frustrated as he failed to hit his usual heights in the win over Falkirk last time out as Warburton’s side made in nine wins on the spin.

But he will return to Glasgow in better form than he left as he looks to get back to his best for his club after starring for his country.

Downing said: “Nathan has done well. He has been part of a 20-man squad and everyone is getting an opportunity out here. He has integrated really well with the rest of the guys.

“He played a part in the Dutch game which we won 3-1, he came for 30 minutes and then started the game against Turkey and played well for an hour.

“He is an exciting prospect, he has got ability to beat people and dribble the ball well and he has fitted into the system well.

“The players have been good and had two successful results but we have performed well as well. Everyone is making a contribution, which is good, and Nathan has been part of that.”