KEANE TO IMPRESS
Seven games to book passport to the Euros I need a good spell for whole season at Everton
EVERTON’S Michael Keane hopes to bury his World Cup heartache and book his ticket to the European Championships over England’s next seven games.
England’s Nations League game in Iceland next Saturday kicks off a busy run of matches between September and November for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.
Keane has been recalled by Southgate for the first time since winning his 10th cap in October and the Everton centre-half intends to grab his chance.
The former Manchester United trainee was gutted to miss out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia and does not want to be hit by further disappointment again.
“It’s a huge year for England with the Euros next summer,” he said.
“I missed out on the last World Cup, so I’m desperate to be involved. These seven games are going to be key. I thought after lockdown I played well and was consistent so I felt I had a good chance.
“But there are a lot of good English centre-halves and a big pool to pick from.
“I wasn’t sure if I would be in so was really pleased when I got the text.
“Hopefully I can play and carry on my form this season and cement my place.”
Southgate spoke to Keane as part of a ring-round of all his England players and he was grateful for the call.
The pair have worked together for a number of years and Keane played 15 times for the Under-21s when Southgate was in charge before the former Middlesbrough boss gave him his senior debut in 2017.
“It was good of him to do that,” said Keane. “During lockdown, he spoke to every player who has been with England for a catch-up.
“I have worked with him since the Under-21s and we have a good relationship.
“I can call him whenever I want and he will call me, too. It’s good to have that relationship. He knows what kind of player I am.
“I have trained with him loads, he knows my qualities and what I can bring to the team and it definitely helps that we know each other so well.”
Keane has improved under Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti and performed well in Everton’s final nine games of last season after the lockdown.
He knows that he must maintain those standards because his club form will be key to his hopes of going to the Euros. He said: “I am full of confidence and since the new manager came I have played really well.
“While you can do well for England, the main thing is your club form. That’s what keeps you coming back.
“You can play well for England but if you don’t play well for your club in between you won’t get picked with the number of good centre-backs we have.
“I’ve had a lot of good spells with Everton, but like everybody, I need to do it for a whole season, not just half a season, or three-quarters of a season.”