“It was a complete shock to be honest, I’m not going to lie.”
It’s two days into Callum Brittain’s first England camp at St. George’s Park and the MK Dons man admits it’s still sinking in.
He’s training with Keith Downing’s U20s squad at the national football centre as they prepare for a trip to Italy later this week and then a game with Czech Republic back at St.George’s next Tuesday.
And the 19-year-old tells how “time just stopped” when he was pulled aside by MK boss Robbie Neilson to be told of the news last week.
“I wasn’t sure if I was in trouble or not at first, but I definitely didn’t think it was going to be about an England call-up,” he laughed.
“He came up to me and said ‘congratulations’ and I just paused, and then he told me about me being selected by England.
“I couldn’t believe it and I was lost for words, but then it was a buzz for me and of course, it’s an absolute honour.
“It’s a great achievement for me, it’s [St. George’s Park] a brilliant place and I’m proud to be here.”
The pathway from MK Dons to England has become a relatively well-trodden path over the years too, with Brittain the latest to make the step from their academy to the Young Lions set-up.
Before him, the likes of Dele Alli, Brendan Galloway, Sam Baldock, Sheyi Ojo and Giorgio Rasulo have all emerged from the ranks to earn international recognition in various age groups.
