England U-19 coach: 'Senior team has inspired us'
England Under-19s boss Paul Simpson believes that Gareth Southgate's success in Russia will inspire his team's European Championship campaign.
England have had success at youth level in recent years, becoming the world champions at U-17 and U-20 level, but it is only now that the nation are starting to feel some of that success translate to the senior team.
After Gareth Southgate's men reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia and swept the country in to a state of football fever, Simpson believes that his young players can use that example to continue their own success.
"We had a really successful 2017 with development teams. You just have to look at this place itself. To come and be part of working here, training here is a great set up." he told 'Sky Sports'
"We are all coming in on the back of a really good World Cup experience that the seniors have shown and they all now want to be a part of it."
The U-19 European Championships begin for the 'Young Lions' on 17th July when they take on Turkey in their first group game, and the players that are due to be in the squad think that the senior squad's performance can give them a hige lift.
George Hirst, who has just completed a move to play for OH Leuevn in Belgium, has taken a lot from the performances Harry Kane and co.
"It's inspiring because that's the aim, that's where you want to get to. That's the end goal."
Trever Chalobah, another young player who will be an important part of the squad that will try and win the competition in Finland shares his team-mate's optimism.
"The seniors coming out of a big semi-final lifted the spirits around the FA and the England team. Following on from the World Cup, we want to do the same."