MARCUS RASHFORD is aiming for that killer touch in front of goal – and has found inspiration by reading a book by an Army sniper famous for taking out an enemy soldier with the longest shot ever.
The Manchester United striker says the read has been a hit with him and helped the 22-year-old to learn how to deal with pressure.
Rashford has been out injured since January after picking up a back injury against Wolves in the FA Cup third-round replay.
The England hitman praised a book by Sergeant Craig Harrison called The Longest Kill, revealing it’s helped him to “exercise my mind”.
The autobiography details Harrison’s spell in Afghanistan in November 2009 when he saved the lives of his comrades with the longest ever confirmed sniper kill – 2475 metres which is the length of 25 football pitches.
Rashford posted on Instagram: “Getting some reading in ahead of World Book Day. Whilst I can’t train physically at the moment, at least I can exercise my mind. Have a good weekend everyone!.”
Harrison also describes his active service in the Balkans and Iraq as well as Afghanistan, revealing how he fought for his life on the rooftops of Basra and the barren hills of Helmand province.
He was blown up by an IED in Afghanistan and left battling severe PTSD.
After his identity was revealed in the press he also had to cope with Al Qaeda threats against him and his family.
Rashford’s pressure situations on a football pitch pale into insignificance when compared to that of a soldier putting his life on the line.
But the sporting arena is one of the most intense, pressure-building locations in life.
One of the most tense situations is a penalty shoot-out.
Rashford showed he has nerves of steel by blasting in a spot-kick to help England beat Colombia in the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
It was their first ever penalty shoot-out win at a World Cup finals.
The Longest Kill is published by Pan Macmillan.
