Aaron Ramsdale: Sheffield United man reveals he might cry at national anthem before England v Scotland as he reveals classy gesture from Man Utd's Dean Henderson

“I’ll be belting it out, but I might cry or I might smile,” the Sheffield United goalkeeper said. “I couldn’t tell you.

“It’s England v Scotland at a major tournament at Wembley and I’m going to be involved, with the three lions on my chest. It doesn’t get much better than that, unless you start. This is the next best thing.”

What is for sure is that Ramsdale will be a lot closer to the action than a week earlier, when he was making arrangements with his friends to watch England’s opener against Croatia over a barbeque at his house in Bournemouth.

Aaron Ramsdale reflects on "crazy" week as he prepares for front-row seat at England v Scotland - after missing out on a ticket for Croatia win!

Just days on, and thanks to a whirlwind call-up after former Blade Dean Henderson succumbed to injury, he will be on the bench at Wembley on Friday as Gareth Southgate’s men look to make it two wins from two in their latest quest to bring football home.

“Surreal is the word,” Ramsdale added, speaking on the Official England Podcast.

“I was speechless, but also it’s tinged a little bit because I’m devastated for Deano. I’ve had mixed emotions really. I’ve been over the moon on my side but I saw Dean earlier on and he’s been fantastic, saying it’s my time now and I an go and help the team. I can’t speak highly enough of him.

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“But one man’s misfortune is another’s gain and that’s the cruel world of football. I can’t do anything about it. Dean’s wished me well and said he’ll be supporting me, so it’s a credit to him.”

Ramsdale opted to remain in England this summer rather than jet off to sunnier climes – which, in the current climate of Covid-19 and red-list countries, may have cost him the chance to represent England at a major tournament.

“This is the first summer I haven’t been bothered about going away,” Ramsdale added.

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“My summer was to go down to my Bournemouth house and play some golf with my mates.

"Luckily I didn’t book anything [abroad], there’s a huge issue of getting tests and countries going to amber.

“So thankfully I was only down south and didn’t have to quarantine and can go straight into the squad.”

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