Published 07 June 2021 2 min read
England Men's Senior Team
The proudest man from Preston
It was a second consecutive clean sheet for England in their final preparation game for UEFA EURO 2020 but a first for Sam Johnstone who was making his debut against Romania.
The West Bromwich Albion stopper was instrumental in the 1-0 win too, producing a vital point-blank save to ensure Marcus Rashford’s penalty remained the winner.
Johnstone played the full 90 minutes at Riverside and put on a commanding performance to justify his spot in Gareth Southgate’s final squad for the upcoming tournament.
“I’m so happy and really proud. I got quite emotional during the national anthem because it’s such a proud moment for myself, my family and everyone that has been with me on this journey,” said the 28 year old, who began his footballing days in his hometown of Preston with grassroots club Euxton Villa.
“It’s something you dream of as a kid and that has finally happened so nobody can take that away from me.
“We work hard every single day and thankfully the moment came during my England debut to make a save and keep the clean sheet.
“I tried my best to play my own game so I’m really happy and that save just tops off a good day.”
Johnstone endured a tough season with the Baggies which saw them relegated from the Premier League after just one season in the top flight, despite making more saves than any other goalkeeper in the league.
For his heroics in between the sticks, the former Manchester United man was named Baggies players’ player of the season and supporters' player of the season.
He knows he’ll face stiff competition for a starting spot from Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson, who’ve also been picked for UEFA EURO 2020, but the experience on Sunday evening will have done his confidence a world of good.
“It’s great to go into the tournament with a cap under my belt too because it’s something that’s new to me,” he added.
“Of course it was a little bit different to playing at club level but I just tried to be myself and do my job. It was brilliant for the lads to get the win and really nice for me and the defenders to keep a clean sheet.
“It was such a big disappointment for that to happen [relegation] but I had a week off and then I was back here with England. That helps keep my mind off it because I’m enjoying every day here.”
SEE SAM'S ENGLAND FOOTBALL PLAYER PROFILE
08 Jun 2021
22:58
'Keepers at work
Watch the England goalkeepers in training ahead of EURO 2020