Gordon: Scotland never registered – this is my dream
Anthony Gordon insists he would never have answered Scotland’s call to switch countries as he had “tunnel vision” on playing for England.
The Newcastle United forward, 23, has been called up to Gareth Southgate’s squad for the first time but, despite playing for England youth teams, was on Scotland’s radar this season and qualified through his grandparents.
Gordon had no second thoughts about wanting to follow in the footsteps of his fellow Liverpudlians Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
“I have just been tunnel-visioned on playing for England since I have been five or six years old and nothing could ever shake that off. It was never a thought for me, and that is no disrespect to Scotland at all,” Gordon said.
“I could never forgive myself if I had never got to this point. Playing for England is a dream I have had from so young and nothing else has ever entered my mind at any time.
“I’ve always wanted to be at the very top of football. That’s every kid’s dream if they like football. I think, as a young English kid, that’s the pinnacle, to play for your country. It’s no extra motivation or a great story but just playing for England is what every kid dreams of. No special story – just my dream.”
Gordon was player of the tournament when England won the Under-21 Euros last year and was in Southgate’s thoughts from early in the season when he started in good form. His call-up for the matches against Brazil and Belgium gives him a chance to impress ahead of the European Championship in the summer.
Southgate had mentioned that Gordon was close to a call-up earlier in the season when it became apparent that Scotland were looking at him.
“That was very reassuring,” Gordon said. “I was performing well and working hard, the season was going well for me, and just to hear him say that I was in his thoughts and that I was close, it gave me a
little boost to carry on, knowing I was not far away. It made me work that bit harder.”
Gordon knows he will have to try to compete in an area where Southgate has plenty of options.
“From the outside, trying to break into it, it looks really difficult because you know you have to be on your best form, really consistent to even get near the squad because of the level that is around me in my positions,” Gordon said. “But I have been able to do that this year and now I am just relishing it. I get to try and the standard is so high. I am getting to learn from the best players in the country.”
Gordon has disclosed he has not booked a summer holiday, in case he gets the call-up for the Euros.
“Nothing so far, not that it’s a guarantee or anything like that but I want to give myself the best possible chance,” he said. “That’s my goal. My biggest aim at the moment is to be in that squad. That’s not going to manifest if I’m booking any holidays.”
Players switching countries has been a topic this season, with Gordon’s club team-mate Elliot Anderson receiving a Scotland call-up but being ruled out through injury and remaining on the radar for England.