Let me start off by saying I was proud to play for England.
I treasure the 26 caps I won for my country and my pulse still quickens when I recall the seven goals I scored with the Three Lions on my chest. Keep that in mind when I admit that a pang of regret crossed my mind this week when I saw that Ivan Toney had been called into Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
My delight at Ivan getting his reward for the brilliant form he has produced for Brentford over the last two seasons was tempered by my own frustrating memories of trying to break into an England team that had a glut of goal-getters all at the peak of their powers. I sincerely hope he wins his first England cap.
