Ryan Bertrand says he is proud to be following in the footsteps of his friend and former team-mate Ashley Cole.
With 107 caps Cole is the most capped left-back in Three Lions’ history.
Slovenia v England
Euro 2016 Qualifier
5pm BST, Sunday 14 June
Stadion Stozice, Ljubljana
Live on ITV
And Bertrand, who was handed his first start on Sunday during the 0-0 draw against Ireland, says Cole was the perfect mentor for him as he came through the youth ranks at Chelsea.
"I learned a lot from him," he said of the Roma left-back. "On the pitch and off the pitch, the way he went about his business was fantastic.
"We had a really good relationship on and off the field."
Now plying his trade at Southampton under Ronald Koeman, Bertrand has another legendary left-footed defender to learn from.
Ryan Bertrand and Ashley Cole celebrate Champions League glory with Chelsea in 2012
It is an opportunity he is keen to capitalise on.
"As footballers, to learn off someone who has achieved so much in the game and has such a calm yet positive persona that Koeman does, it can only improve any player," he added.
"The tips he gives here and there are invaluable and we are managing to put them into practice.”
While his cap tally remains a long way off Cole or Koeman’s achievements, the 25-year-old says he will always remember the first time he lined up from the start for England.
It was an occasion that had added personal significance for the London-born defender.
“It was a proud moment for my family as a whole”
Ryan Bertrand on his England debut
The Aviva Stadium in Dublin is a few miles from Crumlin, the area of the city from which his late grandfather hailed.
"On a personal note it was good, it was a very proud moment to start," he added.
"It was a proud moment for my family as a whole. For me it is business, though. I am an England player and I was fully focused."
After a few days off from the draw in Dublin, Bertrand is back with the England squad as they prepare for their final match of the season.
They travel to Ljubljana to take on Slovenia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday 14 June – and will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record with a sixth successive victory.
The match kicks off at 5pm BST and is live on ITV 1.
