Tyrone Mings says he loved every minute of England’s Euro 2020 opener against Croatia.
In the absence of the injured Harry Maguire, the defender was selected for the Three Lions’ tournament opener and he didn’t put a foot wrong as his side earned a 1-0 win on Sunday at Wembley.
It was the latest step in career that has been trending upwards since he was plucked out of non-league football as a 19-year-old.
Speaking at England’s Tuesday press conference, he said: “My journey’s been well-documented and we’ve spoken about it a lot, but the last few days is something you can never prepare for.
“Putting myself in the position where I’d had a good season and I was called up and then was fighting for a place if Harry wasn’t fit was an exciting time.
“And then to be told that I was starting was exciting and daunting at the same time. I loved every minute of it, and I was grateful and honoured to be chosen to start for England – as I am in any game.”
While his inclusion in the starting XI was a dream come true, Mings has had little time to reflect on his achievement, quickly moving his focus to England’s next game against Scotland on Friday.
Villa team-mate John McGinn forms part of the opposition, and while Mings admitted they’ve texted during the tournament, he says England must stay focused on their ambitions of progressing from Group D.
He said: “We’re aware of the history of the game and the rivalry it has around it, but our first aim is to qualify from the group and Scotland are the next team we play.
“It’s going to be a difficult game, but it’s the next step in our progression in this tournament and that’s what we’re thinking about at the moment.”
