Happy as Harry after a year to remember
HARRY MAGUIRE’S head is spinning after a “whirlwind” of a year experiencing the heartbreaking lows and heart-pumping highs.
The huge down of being relegated with Hull City was followed by the incredible up of joining Leicester City in a £17million deal in the summer.
And an England call-up against world champions Germany on Friday night completed his self-confessed “crazy” year.
Now, Maguire, 24, believes the high-level performances of the rookies brought in by Gareth Southgate for the 0-0 draw at Wembley will give the England boss a massive selection headache.
Maguire, Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are happily staking claims ahead of next year’s World Cup in Russia.
Maguire said: “Yes, it’s been a crazy year. I have had a whirlwind. The worst thing was to get relegated from the Premier League and then to join a great club like Leicester and get my first England call-up.
“It’s probably the proudest moment of my life. I am here and every time I wear the shirt I will give my best and work hard for the team.
“All the new boys who came in have added something different.
“Those making debuts or who just had one, two or three caps, give the manager a headache for selection when it comes to the World Cup.”
Maguire is still on a learning curve but has had centre-back guidance from experienced defenders all his life.
He added: “I have been fortunate to work with some great players in my position. When I was at Sheffield United, I played with Neil Collins and Chris Morgan, two very experienced centre-halves.
“Then I moved to Hull and Steve Bruce was there and Michael Dawson was playing alongside me.
“Now I have come to England with Gareth and at Leicester I’ve got Rob Huth and Wes Morgan, who are among the best in the Premier League.
“So it has been good for my development. It is a privilege to play for England and it gives you a lot of confidence.”