Glen Johnson's 'fantastic achievement' reaching 50 caps

Glen Johnson says it will be a proud moment when he walks out at Wembley to win his 50th cap for England.

Roy Hodgson confirmed that the Liverpool defender will play against Denmark on Wednesday night to chalk up his half-century in the Three Lions shirt.

And it was against the Danes back in 2003 that a 19-year-old Johnson, then with Chelsea, replaced Gary Neville for his first taste of senior international football.

The game ended in a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford and Johnson hopes Wednesday's World Cup warm-up will end differently. 

"It's a fantastic achievement and from a young age your dream is to play for your country," he told TheFA.com.

"To reach the 50th cap is a very proud moment and it's great for me and my family.

"It's ironic that my debut was against Denmark, hopefully this time it will be a different result.

"But over the years you have your ups and downs, and you always give your all no matter what shirt you've got on."

He added: "I remember being nervous around the lads, I was very young.

"I started the game against Denmark on the bench and Gary Neville went down after about 16 or 18 minutes, so it was a bit of a surprise to everyone that I went on so soon.

"It probably caught me by surprise, if I'm honest. But it was a great moment, that first time you never get back, you'll never forget it."

Johnson's first, and currently only, England goal arrived in 2010 against Mexico at Wembley.

Playing at right-back, he crossed the half-way line and played a one-two with Theo Walcott before surging down the flank.

In typical fashion, the former West Ham United and Portsmouth man cut in from the right before heading towards the edge of the box.

Johnson made his England debut at Old Trafford in 2003

He then bent a well-placed left-foot strike into the top corner of the Mexican goal to help England to a 3-1 win.

"I think I was playing on the right with Theo at the time," recalls Johnson. "I remember just going on a run and things happen in certain ways that you just feel you can keep going and keep going.

"That's what I did, I found myself on the edge of the box and caught my shot pretty well.

"I always like to get forward and try to chip in and score the odd goal here or there, so it's always been a big part of my game, the attacking side of things."

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