Kieran Trippier admits it will be a “surreal moment” to captain England.
Trippier, 31, is one Gareth Southgate’s best success stories as he has gone from playing at Barnsley and Burnley to becoming an England regular.
Atletico Madrid full back Trippier has gone through a rollercoaster year, serving a ban for breaching the FA’s gambling rules to winning La Liga last season and now another honour with England.
Trippier did captain England last year but this will be the first time in front of fans which will make it even more special.
He said: “ As a player to captain your country is one of my best feelings, one of the proudest moments of my career.
“I can only thank Gareth for what he's done for me on and off the pitch, and the trust that he has in me personally to name me captain. It's a surreal moment."
“Hopefully I can follow that up with a win but I'm speechless, really, to captain my country and lead the boys out. You know obviously it's something I'll never ever forget.”
England boss Southgate likes and trusts Trippier so much that he gave him the armband a year ago just before his FA hearing which felt as if the manager was underlining his unshakeable faith in his full back.
Trippier played and scored in a World Cup semi final, shone in the Euros in the summer and, despite flirting with a return to England, his progression in Spain has been remarkable.
Now Trippier is a top quality attacking full back but also a well drilled and disciplined defender. But at his age, this could also be his last World Cup campaign.
Trippier said: “I’m never disappointed when I come away with England. I always look back, even now, when I was playing at Barnsley and Burnley. I never thought I would have made over 30 caps for my country. Played in a World Cup semi final.
“It’s always an honour to be here, if I’m playing or not playing, and succeed. There’s another World Cup round the corner but I know I have to be performing well for my club and every opportunity I get for England.
“It’s always an honour for me, I’m delegated with the number of caps I’ve got now but I want more, as does every player here. It’s an exciting time for the nation.
“Hopefully we can win and get another four wins to qualify for the World Cup because that’s where everybody wants to play. It’s going to be a big test tomorrow, we can’t overlook Andorra because it’s going to be difficult but we are all ready.
“Since making my debut and when I first came, the team has progressed so much. I think it’s there for everybody to see how much we’ve developed as a team.
“The team has changed so much, getting to the World Cup semi final, then the Euros final, we’ve progressed really well. But we want to go that one step further.”
