CHERRIES defender James Hill shared how he is targeting a spot in England’s World Cup squad in 2026 – even if he admitted it was a “long shot”.

Centre-back Hill is currently impressing on loan in the Scottish Premiership, helping his temporary team Hearts to three wins in his five appearances.

An England international at under-20 and under-21 level, Hill arrived at the Vitality Stadium highly rated last January, although the 21-year-old struggled for gametime on the south coast, paving the way for his loan switch to Scotland.

For Hill, representing his country at the senior level is a continuation of his goal of beating his father to accomplishments in football.

His father, Matt Hill, played twice in the Premier League, racking up over 500 professional appearances across England’s top five tiers.

Speaking to media in Scotland, Hill explained: “I idolised my dad to a point I didn’t really watch other footballers. I didn’t support a team I just supported my dad. I wanted to be a footballer because of him.

“Then it got to a point at Fleetwood, as soon as I got my first sniff of first team, I wanted to beat dad. He made his debut at 18, I made mine at 16.

“I wanted to see how many more appearances I could get than him at this age. I’ve beaten him so far. Did he ever get an England call-up? He got schoolboys but I’ve got under-20 and now under-21.

“He’s played in the Premier League and I’ve not.

“He’s made over 500 appearances. I’ve not done that.”

It is this desire to outdo his father that keeps Hill “hungry” in his own words, with the defender aiming high.

He restarted “You can never be satisfied, can you?

“I have actually heard that when an animal eats and become satisfied that is when it is vulnerable and it could be attacked because it is in that state of relaxation.

“I’m looking at the next World Cup in four years and it might be a long shot but those are the goals I’m aiming for. One day I want to be playing for the first team at England level.

“It is a dream but as a kid, the dream for me was to be a footballer, so who’s to say I can’t achieve my next dream? I’m so hungry.

“I spoke to Joey Barton (manager at Fleetwood Town) and he asked: ‘when have you made it?’

"I was like, ‘well, when I’ve signed this pro form in front of me at 17’.

"But he said no, you’ve not made it until you make so many experiences then how many can you get? How many caps can you get?

“He told me that when I’m 45 and he is 70 or what not, then he could ring me up and say, ‘flippin’ eck, you’re retired now?’ I will say, ‘yeah, the knees are gone’. And then he will say ‘now you’ve made it, because you have satisfied your goals and you will be able to look back happy.”