text: Ryan Bertrand believes he deserves to be higher up the England pecking order and has pledged to prove his worth to manager Roy Hodgson. The 25-year-old has been one of the standout performers for Southampton, where the left-back moved permanently earlier in the year having impressed on loan from Chelsea. Bertrand has attracted plenty of plaudits for his displays at St Mary's, yet struggled to gain the international recognition many of his colleagues have received. Ryan Bertrand was the fifth left back to be called in to Roy Hodgson's England squad last month . A call-up had been predicted for England's internationals against Lithuania and Italy last month, yet Hodgson plumped for Leighton Baines, Kieran Gibbs and Luke Shaw. Danny Rose was then preferred when Shaw pulled out, only for Bertrand to get the nod once the Tottenham full-back and then Baines dropped out. It meant the Saints left-back travelled to Italy and eventually played the final few minutes of the 1-1 draw in Turin, with his third England cap a peculiar end to the international break. 'It was different,' he said, smiling. 'The international break changed from one extreme to the next, but it was good to get back in the frame and get back in the door. 'It was good to get on the pitch, even though it was very brief. 'When you actually sit there, it hits you that all them years you spent as a kid watching football games, the England games were always the biggest. Bertrand slides in to challenge Everton midfielder James McCarthy earlier this month . 'To finally sit there and be part of it and wear the actual kit and everything, knowing the whole country is cheering you on is fantastic.' England are, in fairness, blessed with strength impressive depth at left-back, with West Ham's Aaron Cresswell another arguably worthy of a call-up. Bertrand appreciates that breadth of options, but hopes to prove to Hodgson that he deserves to be further up the pecking order. 'You know, it's down to (the manager),' he said. 'Whoever he wants to pick, it is his decision. 'I'll just concentrate on my game. I'm confident enough to know that I should be in there, but I don't pick the team so I'll just keep playing.' Bertrand was one of three Southampton players in action that night in Turin, with Nathaniel Clyne starting at right-back for England and Graziano Pelle leading the line for Italy. Bertrand made his move to Southampton from Chelsea permanent in January after impressing on loan . The 29-year-old striker showed no ill-effects of the scoring drought at club level, glancing the Azzurri ahead at the Juventus Stadium - a goal the striker followed up with a first Premier League strike since December 20 in Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Hull. 'I was just thinking it is typical - anyone, anyone but him,' Bertrand said, laughing. 'It was good for him to get a goal. 'The fans have been very supportive, I think. Every week, even when we're warming up, you can hear them cheering him on. 'There's never been any criticism and he has finally broke his duck and got his goal, so hopefully that just continues now.'
target: Ryan Bertrand was fifth left back to be called up by England last month .
  Bertrand only included after injuries to Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw and Danny Rose .
  He replaced Kieran Gibbs in second half away in Italy .
  Bertrand belives he should be higher up the England pecking order .