SAINTS striker David McGoldrick has been named one of the top 50 rising stars in world football.

The 21-year-old was ranked number 44 on The Times newspaper’s list yesterday.

It said the players were “united by their potential to make it big in the next 12 months.”

Describing McGoldrick, the paper said: “The 21-year-old striker has nine goals this term for the Saints and is tipped to go marching on to bigger things for his all-round ability.”

He is part of a list that includes players from all over the world, with clubs such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, River Plate, Juventus and Sao Paulo all represented.

McGoldrick has endured a mixed season for Saints this year.

He has scored nine times in all competitions, but also went through ten-game scoreless streak in November and December.

However, he has found the net in Saints’ last two league games – the 1-1 draw with Reading at St Mary’s and Saturday’s 1-0 win at Barnsley.

Top ten: 1. Hernanes (Sao Paulo), 2. Karim Benzema (Lyon), 3. David Silva (Valencia), 4. Radamel Falcao Garcia (River Plate), 5. Douglas Costa (Gremio), 6. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), 7. John Fleck (Rangers), 8. Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), 9. Fabio Da Silva (Manchester United), 10. Claudio Marchisio.