Jamie Hanson says young English players, in any division, can take inspiration from Aidy Boothroyd’s England Under-20s selection policy.
The Derby County youngster is with Boothroyd’s Young Lions as they prepare to take on USA in Plymouth.
He was handed his debut in the victory against Mexico on Wednesday, and in the team hotel, the 19-year-old expressed his gratitude to Boothroyd for the faith he has shown – and recalled his disbelief when he heard the news.
England v USA
U20 International Match
3pm, Sunday 29 March
Home Park, Plymouth Argyle FC
Call 0845 872 3335 for tickets
“I first got a call from my Under-21s manager when I went to go and watch them against Middlesbrough," he said.
"When he told me I thought he was messing around at first.
“I didn’t think I’d ever get a call from England, and when I did I was completely speechless. I didn’t know what to say.
“It was a complete surprise, I didn’t have any inclination that I was being watched.”
Hanson is one of 16 in Boothroyd’s 22-man squad to be playing regular football outside the Premier League, something the young defender says will give hope to all English youngsters plying their trade – whether it be on loan or permanently – outside the top flight.
“In the past it may have been the case that some managers have just looked at the boys playing youth football for the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool etc.,” he added.
“The good thing with Aidy is that he is happy to look outside the top few teams and obviously even the top division.
“It’s a great thing because it gives players like myself and the others here from the Championship or League One the confidence and belief that if we do play well for our teams then we could be given a chance.”
Jamie Hanson also made his debut for Derby in March
He continued: “Aidy’s been really good with me and it’s been really easily to settle in. He’s talked to me a lot and given me lots of advice.
“He has one-on-one meetings with all the players and that’s a good thing.
“He told me that he thought I played well on Wednesday and just to keep going.”
England take on USA in the second part of the international double-header at 3pm on Sunday.
It will be the first time an England representative team has played in the Devon city since Dave Sexton’s Under-21s took on Poland at Home Park in 1989.
A healthy crowd is expected for the springtime clash but tickets are still available to purchase at the gate.
They are priced at £3 for adult and £1.50 for concessions.
