MUM’S literally the word for Nathan Redmond, who has been told by his mother, Michelle, “it’s just the start” after his first England senior call-up.

Redmond’s mum has always been a big influence on his career.

So when the 23-year-old was called into Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad, you can imagine the euphoria that greeted the Saints attacker when he told his mum.

“When I phoned her she started screaming,” he smiled. “She said ‘finally, you did it!’ because the last few seasons I’ve been in the Premier League and that’s been one of my goals to play consistently and try and get into the senior side.

“She was ecstatic for me and at the same time she said ‘it just starts now, you’ve worked hard to get here, now you’ve got to stay here’.

“This will only continue if I carry on my form at Southampton.”

Redmond, who will be hoping to make his England debut tonight against Germany, admits it has been an up and down campaign during his first season at St Mary’s, with the word “adapting” a term he uses.

The former Birmingham City youngster, who Saints bought from Norwich for £10m last summer, has had to acclimatise to playing up front this term, although has now returned to a more familiar role out wide.

“Every season has its ups and downs, I’ve been adjusting to play up front in the first part of the season,” he said.

“That was a bit different but I was open to the challenge and we had a lot of games in the first part of the season with the Europa League, so it was just adapting to playing every three days again.

“But second half of the season we’ve picked it up and got into the cup final, which is a massive achievement.

“To get to a cup final in the first season at the club was something I was extremely happy with.

“I feel like I’ve improved my understanding of the game and that’s credit to the football club.”