I’ve dealt with your dad for 20 years ... I do not need another goalkeeper! GUNN REVEALS MUM’S NEGATIVE REACTION TO HIS CHOICE OF CAREER
ANGUS GUNN’S career as a goalkeeper was nearly finished before it began.
Like most kids, Gunn started out dreaming of being a striker before going between the sticks as a nine-year-old.
Yet, if his mum had been given her way, she would have stopped the youngster following in dad Bryan’s footsteps.
Southampton’s Gunn said: “I was on trial playing outfield at Norwich for the Under-9s, the goalkeeper got injured, someone gave me the gloves and after that session someone told me to bring the gloves next time and focus on being a goalkeeper.
“My dad told my mum and I don’t think she was very pleased. She was like: ‘I’ve dealt with you for 20 years – I don’t need another goalkeeper!’ But it happened, she accepted it and I think she’s fine with it now.”
No wonder as Gunn is now established as one of England’s blossoming generation along with Jordan Pickford, Tom Heaton, Nick Pope and Dean Henderson.
The 23-year-old featured under Gareth Southgate for the U21s and choosing which country to play for was never in doubt despite his dad, former Norwich keeper Bryan, having won six caps for Scotland.
“I have always focused on England,” he said ahead of today’s game at Tottenham. “There’s part of my heart where I look at Scotland. It’s a great country, the passion they show for their team is amazing.
“My ultimate dream is to play for England. If it happens then it’ll be the pinnacle of my career. It’s a target for all us younger guys and, now we’re all playing in the Premier League, it’s something that can help us all push each other.”
Southampton have gone through major changes since Ralph Hasenhuttl came in as manager last season and their ambitions now are higher than just survival.
Gunn said: “We definitely want to look at top-half football. The Premier League is so tough that you cannot judge it. That means you can never take it for granted.
“You have to win games you are expected to win and if you can nick one or two freak results, that’s something we want to do as well. The manager is very enthusiastic and it rubs off on the lads.” TOTTENHAM (probable): Lloris; Walker-Peters, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Ndombele, Winks, Sissoko; Lamela, Kane, Son.
SOUTHAMPTON (probable): Gunn; Cedric, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Romeu; Redmond,
Ings, Boufal. IN THE GAME OF THE FATHER Famous father-and-son teams in English football