Friday 9 June 2017 11:55, UK
Ben Gibson wants to repay the faith shown in him by Gareth Southgate in England's World Cup Qualifier against Scotland on Saturday.
It's been a season of mixed emotions for the Middlesbrough defender who has suffered relegation but has enjoyed a call-up to the senior international squad for the first time.
The 24-year-old, now dreaming of an England debut at Hampden Park, told Sky Sports News HQ: "It's going to be special for anybody in the squad but especially for me.
"Germany and Scotland are the biggest derbies so I'm really looking forward to it and hoping to win. I'll be doing my very best to repay the faith shown in me by Gareth Southgate.
"It's just a dream come true. When you're on the playground you dream of playing for England shouting Wayne Rooney's or David Beckham's name and to be here rubbing shoulders with these players is just phenomenal"
On Middlesbrough's drop out of the Premier League, he added: "It's been the hardest season of my life in terms of mentally coping with us not doing well as a team and eventually getting relegated.
"That's been really tough and something that will take a long time to get over it.
"This is a light at the end of the tunnel, and this is all I'm thinking about now and I owe that to Gareth and the players I'm playing with and certainly to the badge we represent."
Gibson has got to know Southgate very well with experience at England's U21 level and has been a long-time admirer growing up as a Boro fan.
"He's a humble and good guy and that's somebody you want to play for," Gibson said. "And you certainly don't mistake that for him being 'Mr Nice Guy!'
"I've seen the other side of him and been on the other side of it - he just does what he has to do.
He's a very good manager and I believe he will flourish and will achieve what he sets out to achieve and I really hope he does."
Watch Scotland v England on Saturday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports 5 HD at 4pm.
