ENGLAND youth boss Keith Downing hopes the Three Lions can reap the rewards of Nathan Oduwa’s loan spell with Rangers.

The winger has caught the eye for Mark Warburton’s side since making the move from Tottenham this summer and has now been impressing on the international stage.

Oduwa has helped Downing’s Under-20 outfit to triumphs over Holland and Turkey in recent days and will line up against hosts Germany today as England look to win the Mercedes-Benz Elite Cup on the continent.

The 19-year-old has been one of the stars of the show for the Light Blues so far this term and his international boss is confident he is on the right road at Ibrox.

Downing told SportTimes: “Mark has got a great reputation down here and clubs respect how he works. They are obviously comfortable to have their players playing under Mark.

“We play Under-21 football down here and while I think it is important to bridge the gap between academy football and first team football, it doesn’t have the realism it has in playing first team football.

“Playing in front of big crowds at Rangers will be a great experience for a young player and he has the experience of a coach like Mark to help him develop as well. It is a good grounding for him.

“I know Mark through reputation but I have not worked with him. He has got a good reputation in the game, he is a very level headed manager and has got good experience of working with and bringing on youngsters.

“Nathan is obviously in safe hands with him. Clubs won’t send youngsters to Rangers if they didn’t think that.”

Glasgow Times: Nathan OduwaNathan Oduwa

Oduwa spent time on loan at Luton last term but has yet to make his breakthrough at White Hart Lane and earn a place in Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs squad.

His switch to Ibrox is another step in the right direction for the forward and boss Downing reckons his time in Glasgow will be invaluable to his development.

He said: “That is part of the growing up process for a young player, to show you can handle that pressure and expectancy and there are few better places than Rangers for that expectation and passion.

“Nathan has got to perform week in week out and try and get some consistency. But I am sure the fans there understand that he is still a youngster and he is still learning.

“With Nathan’s frame, you could think he is an older player, but he is still learning his trade.

“For most boys at that age, particularly for wingers, there is that consistency factor.

“You can only get that from playing games and doing that for Rangers and with us will help him. It all helps in his development.”