U17s 'keeper Callum Burton hoping to get the nod for St.George's Park Tournament Finale.
By James Marshall
England U17s bounced back from their opening tournament defeat against Italy on Friday with a convincing 4-1 win against Turkey in the St George's Park International Tournament in Northampton.
Goals from Jerome Sinclair, Reece Brown, Kean Bryan and Connor Ogilvie gave England a well deserved victory, with Callum Burton impressing in the England goal. The Shrewsbury Town 'keeper produced some fine saves and spoke to TheFA.com after the game ahead of Sunday afternoon's finale against Portugal at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton.
"I think we controlled the game from the start, we kept the ball very well througthout with some good flowing football," he said. "We took our chances with some clinical finishing and made it difficult for the Turkish side for most of the game, producing some high intensity football and good build-up play we deserved the victory."
The young stopper, who kept a clean sheet in England's U16 win against Spain in February, was solid throughout the 80 minutes and was unfortunate to conceed a late consolation in the last minute of the game.
"I was disappointed with not keeping a clean sheet especially when the goal came in the last minute of the game. It was good that we only conceded one in the match and it proves at this level you've got to keep your concentration for the full game as well as injury time."
John Peacock's side now need a victory against Portugal on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off) to have a chance of winning the tournament ahead of some top quality international opposition and Burton knows he has given his Head Coach a selection headache ahead of the game.
"Everytime you come into the international set-up you have to prove yourself and you have to take your opportunity with both hands when it is presented to you. From my performance on Friday, I hope I've provided the manager with a selection headache and hopefully I've given him something to think about ahead of the game on Sunday and for future tournaments.
"Portugal will prove a tough test, at any level they're always a difficult nation to play against. They beat Italy on Friday so they will be strong, but if we play like we did against Turkey, we can beat them."
Burton, who is following in England senior goalkeeper Joe Hart's footsteps in the youth system at Shrewsbury Town, has closely followed the Manchester City man's career and is now aiming to achieve similar things.
"Since an early age I've always admired Joe, he's a Shrewsbury lad like myself and has done fantastically in his career," admitted Burton. "He's always been a role model of mine and to see him win the league last year and become the undisputed England number one goalkeeper is terrific."
Tickets for Sunday's game cost just £3 for adults and £1 for concessions and are available on the day, so click here for more details.