England Euro 2020 squad call-up ‘crazy’ says goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale

The goalkeeper has replaced the injured Dean Henderson in the squad.

Mark Mann-Bryans
Wednesday 16 June 2021 15:47 BST
Euro 2020: Daily briefing

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Aaron Ramsdale has gone from unsuccessfully chasing a ticket for England’s Euro 2020 win over Croatia to preparing to be on the bench for Friday’s clash with Scotland.

The Sheffield United goalkeeper was drafted into the Three Lions squad on Tuesday after Dean Henderson was forced to withdraw with a hip problem.

Ramsdale, 23, remains uncapped at senior level having been part of Gareth Southgate’s initial 33-man provisional squad for the European Championship before being cut.

Now he is set to sit among the substitutes at Wembley as England face Scotland in Group D, having revealed he could not even get in as a fan for the 1-0 victory against Croatia.

“I was imagining what it would be like (to play) at Wembley, either a full crowd or the capacity it is at for the Euros,” he told the Official England Podcast.

“I tried desperately hard to get a ticket for the first game and couldn’t manage to get one.

“Game one, game two, game three – I just wanted a ticket. I would have gone on my own. I didn’t manage to get it but it is crazy how things work.”

Ramsdale was part of the Sheffield United squad relegated from the Premier League last season.
Ramsdale was part of the Sheffield United squad relegated from the Premier League last season. (PA Wire)

Ramsdale has been relegated from the Premier League in the past two years, firstly with Bournemouth and now with the Blades, but his individual performances have clearly caught the eye and he has recently been linked with a move to Arsenal.

A European Under-19 Championship winner with England in 2017, Ramsdale has now made the breakthrough into the senior ranks and admits it is the highlight of his career to date.

“It has to be,” he added. “I don’t really know how to put it into words, I didn’t think things could get much better than being in the camp at Middlesbrough.

“Being on the bench, even if I wasn’t going to get on, stood there with my kit on and listening to the national anthem – it just gave me goosebumps all over my body.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in