Ex-Leeds United youth player Rose aims to be England regular

Danny Rose hopes to follow up a debut to remember by securing a place in Roy Hodgson's Euro 2016 squad.
England's Danny Rose and Germany's Andre Schurrle battle for the ball.England's Danny Rose and Germany's Andre Schurrle battle for the ball.
England's Danny Rose and Germany's Andre Schurrle battle for the ball.

England have impressive strength in depth at left-back, with Leighton Baines, Luke Shaw, Ryan Bertrand and Kieran Gibbs having all played there in recent years.

West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell has not been able to get a look in as a result and in-form Rose has had to bide his time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The former Leeds United youth player finally got his chance in the Olympiastadion on Saturday, playing the entirety of England’s remarkable 3-2 comeback win against Germany.

“It’s a great achievement for me, my club, my family,” Rose said. “I feared the worst going 2-0 down but the lads showed a great attitude and we thoroughly deserved to win the game.

“We have had a couple of meetings during this camp. (England coach) Ray Lewington has spoken about there being more leaders on the pitch and once you go 1-0 or 2-0 down you look for your leaders.

“You hope they can dig you out and give you more confidence and Harry’s scored a brilliant first goal and we thoroughly deserved it.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was a particularly special night for Tottenham, as four of their players started in Berlin.

Harry Kane started the comeback with a fine goal and Eric Dier secured victory in stoppage-time, but Dele Alli was the star man.

The teenager was playing in League One for MK Dons less than a year ago, but once again shone in England’s midfield.

“He has set his standards very high,” Rose said. “He is not fazed by any opponent or any team, he is a pleasure to play with.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“For Tottenham to nick him for £5million is a great bargain.”

Alli, Kane and Dier have now seemingly cemented their place in England’s Euro 2016 squad something Rose is dreaming of after his debut.

“There is very good competition at left-back,” he said. “England are spoilt for choice at left-back.

“I’ve had to bide my time but there’s a saying ‘better late than never’. “I hope I can just continue this good form I have shown at Tottenham over the last two years and I hope I can make it on the plane come the end of May, start of June.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, former Leeds United loanee Jack Butland is facing up to the potential disappointment of missing out on Euro 2016 after suffering a fractured ankle.

The Stoke goalkeeper admitted he was ‘’absolutely devastated’’ after the extent of the injury he suffered in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Germany was made public.

The Football Association said in a statement on Sunday evening: ‘’Goalkeeper Jack Butland will miss Tuesday night’s fixture against the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium after fracturing his ankle. The Stoke City man sustained the injury in the first half of Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Germany in Berlin and has now returned home.’’

Such injuries usually require months of recovery time, and with the tournament in France just 10 weeks away it seems inevitable Butland will be spending the summer at home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He tweeted: ‘’Today’s scan revealed I’ve fractured my ankle, absolutely devasted (sic)! I’ll be doing everything I can to get back fit as soon as I can!’’

Butland picked up the injury just before Toni Kroos opened the scoring in Berlin but did not kick the ball out when he had the chance and was then beaten from long distance before staying down as Germany celebrated.

The hosts doubled their lead but Roy Hodgson’s side hit back to win 3-2.

The England boss is more than happy to take the flak if his players are criticised for making mistakes – because he believes in the direction the squad is going.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hodgson said: “In our approach to working with these players, we have been quite fearless.

“We have also said, ‘we are backing you in this, this is how we want you to play, this is what we want you to do’. I’m prepared in particular, but also my coaching staff, (that) we will take the responsibility if it goes wrong.

“This is what we want to do and the message we have been putting across for a long period of time and we have been lucky that some players have come into the team who seem to flourish with that type of confidence and freedom given to them, the freedom to make mistakes.”