Butland: I called hero Joe after his KO
Jack Butland has revealed he made an emotional call to “hero” Joe Hart after finding out the latter would not be joining him in England’s World Cup squad.
After three tournaments as the country’s No 1, Hart’s modest form at West Ham saw him discarded for this summer’s trip to Russia at the 11th hour, leaving Butland to contest the jersey with Wearsider Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope.
It was a crushing blow for Hart, who started nine out of 10 qualifiers and boasts 75 caps compared to a combined total of nine between the chosen trio.
“I’ve spoken to Joe. I know he’s devastated to miss out and I’m gutted for him,” said Butland, 25.
“He’s been my hero since I was 14 years old and I still look up to him now. It was important for me to tell him that because you don’t often get opportunities to tell people what you really think about them. “If Joe had been here, that conversation never gets had. It was really important to me. I’ve seen and learned more from Joe than I ever could have (expected).” Gareth Southgate has yet to announce who will begin the tournament in goal.
He said: “The fact that it’s still up for grabs is incentive for everyone to train at the highest level. It’s a great position to be in. You’re after that competition because it drives you on further.
“It’s a decision only the manager can make – we can only put forward our case and show what we’re all about.
“Whichever way the manager goes, we all have to support it because we are all in this together and that’s the way it is.”