Nathan Redmond says his previous play-off heartbreak drove him on to deliver a match-winning performance for Norwich City at Wembley Stadium connected by EE.

Redmond was a part of the Birmingham City side who were denied the chance to play at the national Stadium by Blackpool in 2012 but, with the play-offs once more on the winger’s agenda this season, he says he was determined to avoid more disappointment.

“When I was with Birmingham it was so disappointing,” he told WembleyStadium.com.

“To play for my boyhood club and to lose in the play-offs it was tough but it was a long season we had 66 games and we didn’t really have a big squad.

“So when we got into the play-offs this season I thought, ‘I’ve played a lot of games since then, over 150 games’, so I knew I had to bring my experience.

“I knew I needed to turn it on in the play-offs and I like to think that I did.”

Redmond struck the Canaries second goal against Middlesbrough a mere three minutes after Cameron Jerome had given Norwich the lead.

And the attacker says the goal proved that hard work on the training ground pays off.

“I’ve been working with the gaffer and with the team on picking out little pockets and not staying out wide as an out and out wide man,” said Redmond.

“If I can play in the number 10 position then I can drift into holes and that’s what I did for my goal.

“When I scored I was delighted to have made my family and my team-mates proud.”

Redmond conducted the interview with the Championship Play-Off Final winners medal hanging proudly round his neck.

And he is hopeful it will have some company in his trophy cabinet with the U21 European Championships in the Czech Republic just a few short weeks away.

England travel to the tournament with an in-form squad and with so many players enjoying domestic success this term Redmond says there is no telling what the Young Lions can achieve.

“We’ve got a strong squad and I think it is important we have kept the same squad that saw us through the play-offs,” he said.

“Harry (Kane)’s had a fantastic season and he knew he wanted to stay and play with us.

“Saido (Berahino)’s had a great season, Danny Ings, Patrick Bamford, they’ve all had great seasons and throughout the whole squad there’s talent with the likes of Alex Pritchard and James Ward-Prowse. The list could go on.

“I’m going to enjoy the moment and switch off for a couple of days and when it is time to meet back up with England I will be back on my job and I’m sure all the other boys will be on it as well.

“Hopefully we will step up to the challenge and give it our all out there.”