Spain’s Lamine Yamal turns 17 on Saturday. AFP Photo

Paul Kennedy

For those of you old enough to remember and sadly I fall into that category, former Liverpool and Scotland defender Alan Hansen really was a ‘Rolls Royce’ centre half.

Calm, classy and cool on the ball, he’s one of those rare footballers from the 1980s that would have no problem gracing today’s game.

He’s recently been ill and I wish him a speedy recovery.

After hanging up his boots, Hansen became a TV pundit, passing on his vast and valuable knowledge to the football-loving public.

And despite his huge collection of medals, he’ll probably be most remembered for what he said about a very young Manchester United team in 1995.

“You can’t win anything with kids,” said the Scot following United’s opening day defeat.

Manchester United would subsequently not lose again until November, with only two losses after the New Year, as they managed to surpass Newcastle in the title race to lift the Premier League trophy.

In addition, they also enjoyed a tremendous run in the FA Cup that season, reaching the final where they defeated Hansen's beloved Liverpool 1-0 to take the trophy at Wembley.

Lots of egg on Hansen’s face.

Turning to the Euros and Spain have reached the finals thanks in part, to ‘a kid’.

Lamine Yamal is just 16 years old and a regular starter on the wing for Spain. It was his goal that helped them beat a much-fancied France side in the semis.

Great photos have emerged this week of Yamal doing his school homework in between training sessions with the national team.

Apparently the Spanish FA needed permission from his school to allow him to skip classes while he represents his country.

Saturday will be his birthday, turning 17 and what an amazing present it would be for him if he helps Spain with the Euros the following night.

Trying to ruin Yamal’s birthday celebrations will be England. They too have a wonder kid of their own.

Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was brilliant in their victory against The Netherlands yesterday and he’s only just turned 19.

Now granted this is just two very young players in teams packed with experience, and they can hardly be compared to Fergie's Fledglings, which included a very young David Beckham, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, among others.

But on Sunday football fans in England and Spain will be banking on a 19-year-old and a 17-year-old to help their country lift the trophy.

Guess you can win things with kids after all. VNS