Gareth Southgate said he twice tried to persuade fellow right-back Kyle Walker to reconsider his decision to retire from international competition. NEWCASTLE UNITED defender Kieran Trippier claims he has never considered the end of his England career.
Walker, the treble-winning full-back for Manchester City, has participated in four major championships. The 33-year-old capped his 77th international game on Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ukraine by scoring.
Following England’s loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final and the 2022 World Cup, Southgate admitted during the Euro 2024 qualifier that he had to persuade Walker to stay with the team.
However, Trippier, who will turn 33 on Tuesday and is eager for another opportunity to win an international trophy in Germany next summer, has not required such discussions.
The 42-time international full-back for the Magpies responded, “I don’t think about that. “I feel wonderful and am performing well. I have never considered it when I believe I will complete.
“I am aware of the opposition I face. I have always believed that the only thing I can do is offer my absolute best effort.
“I always give my all for my club and my country when called upon.
“I have to support the players around me whether I play or not, so whether it’s my final major tournament or not has never once entered my mind.
“I just need to keep working hard and performing, and we’ll see what happens later,”
When told that Southgate’s discussions with Walker may have made it more difficult for him to make the team, Trippier responded, “I don’t look at it (that way).”
“Trent (Alexander-Arnold) and Reece (James) and I get along really well, and so do Walks. There are also many other young right-backs who are emerging.
“Walks and I have been friends ever since we traveled to Ukraine together for the Under-19 Euros.
We played together at Tottenham and for England, but the good news is that we get along the best of the group.
“Since we’ve known each other for a very long period, there has never been any animosity or anything similar. Everything is uplifting.
“If I play, he plays; we constantly encourage and support one another, and this is the competition you want to win,” he said.
However, there is never any negativity; everything is wonderful.
Trippier has demonstrated his versatility in both full-back positions and is anticipated to start against Scotland on Tuesday in the 150th anniversary heritage match at a sold-out Hampden Park.
The Newcastle defender continued, “I think every single international game is always competitive, whether it’s friendly or not.
“We are quite enthusiastic about this game because we are aware of the history between England and Scotland.
Naturally, I take every game seriously, therefore we are all anticipating tomorrow’s game as being good.
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