Charlie Austin targets success with Southampton and possible Euro 2016 call
Monday 25 January 2016 06:41, UK
Charlie Austin never doubted that he could succeed back on the Premier League stage after scoring the winner on his Southampton debut.
Austin joined the Saints from QPR earlier in January and made his first appearance in their colours a memorable one when he scored the only goal in Saturday's 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The 26-year-old rose from the non-league ranks to the Premier League with QPR, and he remained at Loftus Road after their relegation despite being linked with a number of top division clubs.
Among those was West Ham, whose co-owner David Sullivan claimed their move for Austin fell through because he had 'no ligaments' in his right knee, a comment that provoked an apology after the threat of legal action.
But Austin says he has become used to criticism throughout his career and now hopes to prove a lot of people wrong after a £4m move to join Ronald Koeman's squad.
"Everybody has got their opinion and they are entitled to their opinion. I just do what I can do and that's that," Austin said.
"I just let people do the talking. I do what I can and I can only control the controllables and coming on the pitch and scoring the winner is something I can control.
"Times change but that's behind me now and I'm all about concentrating on Southampton and playing in the Premier League because this is where I want to be.
"I always back myself to score, wherever I go. For any striker moving in January is tough and to get that first goal is very important so I'm just delighted to get it so early on.
"I don't know whether I was credited enough for what I did at QPR. Maybe that was just it but now I have come to a club like Southampton they are only going one way and I want to be part of that journey."
Austin was called into Roy Hodgson's England squad last May for two matches, but failed to make his debut, and now says he can only wait and see if there is a place in the squad for Euro 2016 having missed time with a hamstring injury this season.
"The Euros are at the back of my mind," he added. "If it happens, it happens, but at the moment I just want to continue performing for Southampton."
