Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’M NOT LION
Leeds keeper Peacock-farrell vows to commit future to Northern Ireland... despite England’s bid to lure him in
LEEDS United goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-farrell has declared his loyalty to Northern Ireland – despite efforts by England to pinch him from under Michael O’neill’s nose.
The 21-year-old, who made his national debut on the summer tour to Central America, is first choice No1 at Leeds who lie top of the Championship.
That has brought the Darlington-born shot stopper on to the radar of the English FA and Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate (left) who warned last week of England’s ever decreasing pool of talent.
Only five homegrown goalkeepers – Jordan Pickford, Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Alex Mccarthy and Marcus
Bettinelli – played for Premier League clubs at the weekend.
On England’s interest, Peacock-farrell said: “The conversations have already happened. I’ve had several chats with the England goalkeeping coaches.
“One rang me the other week in fact but I’m loyal to Northern Ireland. They got in really early and made me feel wanted.”
Peacock-farrell will be tied to Northern Ireland if he plays in Saturday’s UEFA Nations League fixture with Bosnia and Herzegovina at Windsor Park.
And that will herald the end of a potential tug-of-war for a player who was rated by O’neill (right) at a young age and first called into a Northern Ireland training camp in May last year.
Peacock-farrell said: “It’s a great honour to have that opportunity to be involved with the team. I’m only 21 and I want to try and win as many caps as I can. I want to set the bar high.”