The country's new hero has been catapulted into the limelight after his mesmerising hat-trick helped England chalk up a fabulous 4-1 win in Croatia.

But although Walcott ran riot from his position on the right wing, the Pompey boss – who gave Walcott his debut as a 16-year-old for Southampton – believes the pacy star will eventually become a fearsome centre forward.

Redknapp said: 'It was great to see him do so well. He is a real talent.

'I think he will end up as a striker and I can see him playing through the middle eventually with that pace and ability he has.

'I can see him being a bit like Thierry Henry. When he first came over, Henry started off playing wide left but then he became a world- class player when he got put through the middle.

'It's more and more difficult to play wide these days. Full-backs will get so tight to him that he can get marked out of the game playing wide. But as a striker there are more areas for him to work in.'

Having first noticed Walcott as an 11-year-old at a coaching session for youngsters, Redknapp then got to know the young charge well during his short stint as manager at St Mary's.

He recalled: 'I first saw him at 11 years old and he was a fantastic kid.

'He's a smashing lad. He's got lovely parents and he's a top-class young guy.

'I gave him his full debut as a 16-year-old at Leeds. I played him through the middle and he was electrifying.

'He ripped them to pieces – his pace absolutely destroyed them. He scored one, but he missed a few chances that day as well.'