Paul Gascoigne has urged Raheem Sterling to use the negativity directed at him recently to his advantage.

The Liverpool forward was booed and jeered during England's 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Sunday but former star Gascoigne suggests the 20-year old has to embrace the situation he finds himself in.

Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson spoke about Sterling after the match, imploring him to develop a thicker skin, which Gascoigne feels is a tribute in itself.

"My advice to Sterling is to take that as a compliment," Gascoigne said.

"Because he's talking to you and not the other players and that means he cares about you.

"I always say it might take 40,000 people to upset one guy but one guy can upset 40,000 by sticking the ball in the back of the net.

"The only reason they're booing you is because they're scared of you, the fans are scared of you, they don't want you to play well, so you try and ignore it, join in with them, have fun with them and relax when you play football. I did, and I didn't bother with the crowd and I always won them over anyway.

"He needs to take it as a compliment that someone cares for him. The thing to worry about is when they stop talking about you."