Jack Butland has expressed his pride at becoming the youngest keeper to turn out for England and hopes his cap against Italy will be the first of many.
Keeper reflects on record-breaking debut
Jack Butland has expressed his pride at becoming the youngest goalkeeper to turn out for England and hopes his cap against Italy will be the first of many.
The 19-year-old shot-stopper made history on Wednesday when he started a 2-1 friendly victory in Berne, breaking the 124-year record of Billy Moon.
Butland has now made more appearances for England than he has for domestic employers Birmingham, but that situation is expected to change in the near future as the youngster gets set to become the undisputed number one at St Andrew's.
It has been quite a summer for the highly-rated teenager, having been involved in Roy Hodgson's squad at Euro 2012 and with Team GB at the Olympic Games.
He admits to having been caught up in a footballing whirlwind, but is delighted to be making his mark at the highest level so early on in his career.
Amazing
Butland told
Sky Sports News HD after the Italy victory: "People tell me I'm now the youngest ever England goalkeeper and it sounds amazing.
"I've had a few people tell me about it. That's an extra bonus which makes the debut a lot sweeter.
"Just the experience was fantastic. I've always look forward to playing for England and wanted to achieve but I didn't think it would come this soon.
"Then to be the youngest keeper ever to play for England just tops it off."
Butland is, however, aware that retaining a place in the England set-up, and ultimately pushing for a regular starting role, will be no easy task.
He said: "I've got a taste for it now and hopefully I'll get a lot more. But I'll have to work hard. John Ruddy showed what a good goalkeeper he is and we all know what Joe Hart is like.
Boost
"I need to work hard and hopefully stay in the squads and try to push them as hard as I can."
He added: "It helped that there were other debutants in the squad. There were a lot of new faces and you all felt what the others were feeling.
"I think everyone came together well and handled the pressure well.
"When I found out I was making my debut, the feeling was weird. I've never experienced anything like it. I don't know what came over me, it was just an extraordinary feeling.
"It boosts my confidence and gives me a taste for what it is like and I really want more of it."
