| Date: Saturday, 23 March Venue: Wembley Stadium Kick-off: 19:00 GMT Coverage: Listen to full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live with John Murray, Ian Dennis and Matt Upson; follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website & app |
Newcastle forward Anthony Gordon says playing for Scotland was “never a thought” after receiving his first call-up to the senior England squad.
The in-form 23-year-old has 10 goals and seven assists in all competitions for Newcastle this season.
Scotland had been interested in securing his services as he qualified to play via his grandparents.
Reports suggested they would move for Gordon when he missed out on the last England squad.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate said Gordon was “very close” to being selected at that time.
“It was never a thought for me – that’s no disrespect to Scotland at all.” said Gordon.
“I’ve been tunnel vision on playing for England since I was five, six years old and nothing could ever shake that off. I would never forgive myself if I didn’t get to this point.
“It’s been a dream I’ve had since I was so young and nothing else has ever entered my mind.”
England have a lot of depth in the attacking areas of the pitch and Gordon will be competing for a spot with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen.
However, Gordon, who won the Under-21 European Championships last summer with England, thinks his call-up has come at the right time for him to break into Southgate’s side before this summer’s European Championships in Germany.
“I don’t think I have ever been as consistent in my career so far,” he added.
“If you aren’t doing that, you aren’t going to get into this team. I’m quite thankful for that as I get to show a great account of myself now.
“Maybe if I’d come in earlier it would have been a bit too early. It’s all in good time.
“From the outside trying to break into it, you know you have to be really consistent and on your best form to even get near the squad because of the level that’s around me in my positions.
“I’ve been able to do that this year. Now I’m just relishing it and I get to train and stuff, and the standard is so high and I’m learning from the best players in the country.”
England take on Brazil at Wembley on Saturday before hosting Belgium on Tuesday. The matches are the last time Southgate works with his players before he names his training squad in May for the Euros.
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