MX23RW : Wednesday, May 29 08:17:36| >> :120:62151:62151:
[monks data]
Attendance: 36,104
England national football team
International Friendlies
Jun 7, 2018 at 8pm UK
 
Costa Rica national football team

2-0

Rashford (13'), Welbeck (76')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Nick Pope 'relishing goalkeeping rivalry'

Nick Pope reveals that he is relishing the "rivalry" that currently exists for the goalkeeping position with England.

Nick Pope has revealed that he is relishing the "rivalry" that currently exists for the goalkeeping position with England.

The Burnley stopper has been named in Gareth Southgate's squad for the 2018 World Cup, and made his Three Lions debut in Thursday's 2-0 win over Costa Rica at Elland Road.

Everton's Jordan Pickford and Stoke City's Jack Butland are both ahead of Pope in the pecking order for the number one position, but Pope is relishing the challenge of securing a spot in Southgate's first XI.

"When you come off the bench as a goalkeeper, for the boys in front [on the pitch] it is important you show confidence, so I was pleased," Pope told Sky Sports News.

"I had a heads-up that I would play some part so it was nice to prepare myself mentally and get ready to go.

"That [goalkeeper rivalry] helps push us all to be better and that's the way it should be. That's what's best for the England national team and us as individuals. It's great to have that rivalry between us and the competition that there is."

England will open their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 18.

ID:327870: cacheID:327870:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2293:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Nick Pope during an England training session on May 22, 2018
Read Next:
Nick Pope to be handed England debut?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!