QATAR CALL IS A REAM COME TRUE FOR TIM

TIM REAM admitted he felt his chance of playing in a World Cup had gone until a shock call from USA boss Gregg Berhalter confirming his selection

At 35, the Fulham defender was ready to accept he would never play at the finals, despite a glittering international career that had earned him 46 caps. But a fine season with the Cottagers, which saw Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola tell him he would be playing for him if he was 10 years younger, earned Ream – described as the grandpa of the squad by US team-mate Tyler Adams – his slot in Qatar.

“I did not expect to be involved in a World Cup, so to get a phone call from Gregg to invite me and put me back in the squad is great,” said Ream (above). “It’s something we all dream of as a kid so to have that opportunity after the last years of being away is a proud moment and a special feeling. You don’t ever give up hope, you never completely feel you’re out of the picture.

“There were conversations before every window from last October onwards, so I knew there was a possibility.

“But with not being involved or called up, you start to make peace and accept where things are heading.

“Then, in the last couple of weeks, I had a call with Gregg and things took a turn for the better for me.

“To have that phone call saying I was going to be part of a World Cup was pretty special.”

Guardiola singled out Ream after City’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Fulham a fortnight ago and hailed the veteran centre-back for his outstanding display.

US coach Berhalter said: “Tim played against Man City and, after the game, Guardiola walked up to him and said, ‘If you were 24 instead of 34, you’d be playing for me.

“So Tim said, ‘It’s too bad I’m not 34, I’m 35’.”