England's Tom Heaton on his late call-up as a training goalkeeper and their UEFA Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday
Jana, Germany
Jana, Germany
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00:00 How special does it feel?
00:01 Yeah, it feels very special.
00:03 Gareth rang me a couple of weeks ago, floated the idea
00:06 and I jumped at the opportunity, I think, to come and be part of it.
00:09 Another major championship.
00:11 Yeah, absolute, as I say, honour and a privilege and a delight to be here.
00:16 Must be a bit of a strange feeling, you've been with England to a European Championships before, of course,
00:20 eight years ago.
00:22 You can't play in this one.
00:24 How does that dynamic work?
00:26 Yeah, it's different.
00:27 But I think it's just a different challenge for me, I think,
00:30 coming to support the boys, the goalkeepers, the outfielders,
00:33 push them in training, try and offer them a different perspective.
00:37 And support in that manner, of course, I'd love to be playing.
00:43 I'm a football player that wants to play football matches, but it's not that role, it's a different role.
00:48 But any opportunity to come and represent your country in some form,
00:52 as I say, it was an amazing phone call from me and it didn't take me long to say yes.
00:57 Of course, if any of the goalkeepers get an injury before England's first game,
01:00 then you could be playing here.
01:02 Yeah, I think that's in the rules, but that's not the objective here.
01:07 There are three goalkeepers that have taken their place on merit,
01:10 and that's right, that's how the England squad should be made up.
01:14 So, yes, that's in the rules, but that's not the objective from my point of view.
01:18 The objective is to be part of a successful team.
01:21 How is the atmosphere different?
01:22 We've talked an awful lot in recent years about the atmosphere that Garra Salva is creating,
01:26 and we've seen it out there, just how much you guys are enjoying yourself out there in the sunshine here in Yellow.
01:31 How is that different maybe from when you were last in the squad?
01:34 Yes, I think I predated Gareth before he was England manager,
01:38 and then was there for quite a bit of his first few years.
01:43 So I've seen him all the way through, really.
01:44 I think he just shifted the culture, really.
01:46 I think he shifted the whole outlook, the whole feel from the country, really.
01:51 And even you guys, he brought everyone in together.
01:54 So that's how it's changed.
01:56 I think what that's given for the lads is a little bit of freedom to go and perform.
02:01 I think we've seen that over the last few years.
02:02 We've gone close, we've been to some really good performances.
02:04 There's a real good feel to the England team at the minute.
02:07 Of course, there's expectation because we've got a good side, but you've got to embrace that.
02:10 I think you can see that at the minute.
02:11 We've got fantastic players, everyone's hungry to be in the shirt,
02:15 and of course, we're going to try and make it successful.
02:17 How's the training base? I've heard it's about as good as it gets.
02:20 It is, yes. It's impressive.
02:22 When you spend a long time in a place, it's nice to have nice surroundings,
02:27 lots of nice facilities. It is top end,
02:30 but no one will get distracted from what we're here for.
02:33 There's an objective.
02:34 Yes, it's nice to be enjoying it while you do it, of course,
02:38 but we all know what the main focus is.
02:39 That's one from me. No excuses.
02:41 This is something Garry Southgate talks about a lot.
02:44 Facilities, preparation, standards being as high as they possibly are.
02:46 So no excuses about performances not being the best on the pitch.
02:50 You've been inside the camp now.
02:52 They've had some injury problems, but is this a team that can win the trophy?
02:55 Yes, I think so.
02:57 Of course, you say no excuses. That's dead right.
03:00 Everyone wants to perform, but at the end of the day, it's sport, it's football.
03:03 It's never straightforward.
03:06 All you can do is give yourself the absolute best chance of going to deliver.
03:09 Performances, good performances, give you the better chance of getting the results.
03:13 That's what we're here to do.
03:14 So, yes, as I say, everyone's enjoying the challenge and going to embrace it.
03:18 From Euro 2016 to now, has the mindset changed?
03:25 Did we perhaps go into that tournament that you were part of, not believing that you could win?
03:31 Great question, to be honest.
03:32 I actually spoke to a few of the lads this morning about,
03:34 that camp was actually really, really good until it wasn't.
03:37 And obviously, you talk about results there.
03:40 I think that's what makes or breaks it.
03:44 There was a good feeling going into 2016,
03:46 but I think what the difference has been is, we've now got evidence of good performances,
03:52 good finishes in big championships.
03:55 So, there's been momentum building.
03:57 There has been a shift in culture.
03:58 The lads have embraced it.
03:59 So, I just think we're closer to being successful than then.
04:03 And there is some hard evidence to back it up.
04:05 So, there's more belief that goes with that.
04:06 So, yes, I think there are differences.
04:08 As ever, at elite level sport, the margins are fine.
04:12 But I think we're starting to get a lot closer to those margins.
04:16 As someone who has a better judgement than anyone,
04:19 what is this pool of goalkeepers that are in the squad like in terms of talent?
04:23 Because sometimes they get underappreciated.
04:25 Yes, it's a tough position, goalkeeper.
04:27 We all know it.
04:27 I've been a pro for a long time.
04:29 It's a real tough position.
04:31 England goalkeeper is one of the toughest.
04:33 And I think Jordan's performance has been absolutely outstanding.
04:37 Aaron and Dean, obviously.
04:39 Aaron, a young goalkeeper, has done exceptionally well over the last few years.
04:43 Dean are the same, obviously.
04:43 I know them all individually really well and they all offer something slightly different.
04:47 So, I'm delighted to be working with them.
04:49 And yes, I hope I can support him in any way.
04:52 Final one for me.
04:53 I know you're here as a training goalkeeper,
04:55 but you obviously still love it every second of it.
04:57 No sign of you hanging on to your title?
04:59 No, definitely not.
05:01 For me, it's all about feel.
05:02 I still feel bang at it.
05:04 I still feel good.
05:06 I've had a couple of weeks holiday and not done very much.
05:09 So, to come in today and get up to speed.
05:11 But if I'm honest, I enjoyed it.
05:13 As I say, it was great to be back out there.
05:14 But certainly no thoughts about that.
05:16 Why I still feel good.
05:17 I'll still be chomping a little bit.
05:19 Cheers.