Souness changes his tone on 'real deal' Bellingham

Graeme Souness changed his tone about Jude Bellingham after watching the midfielder's dazzling display in England's 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday night.

The Real Madrid star, 20, scored the Three Lions' second goal at Hampden Park and then brilliantly assisted captain Harry Kane in the second half soon after Harry Maguire's own goal had given the hosts hope of completing a comeback.

Bellingham's strike was his sixth for club and country combined this season — and second on the international stage, after netting in the 6-2 victory over Iran at last year's World Cup.

After the game, Souness said: "For a young man to have that kind of football brain — and he's [Bellingham] gifted with the genes he's got because he's a real athlete, a real powerhouse — I just love watching him.

"That's the first time I've seen him play — he can do everything as a midfield player.

"He is the real deal."

Prior to kick-off, Souness did not seem fully convinced by Bellingham's meteoric rise and boldly claimed James Maddison is "far better" than the ex-Birmingham ace.

The Scotsman remarked: "I'm an enormous fan of Maddison. I think there's room for Maddison and Bellingham in this midfield.

"If you look at Maddison's numbers, his stats, scoring goals, creating chances — he shoots Bellingham off the park.

"He's far better. And yet he [Gareth Southgate] is choosing Bellingham because he plays for Real Madrid.

"But I'll say that I think there's room for both of them in that midfield.

"I think this England team that I watch are playing with the handbrake on. I think this team are capable of more than what they are showing."