Nathaniel Clyne has denied he showed a lack of respect at the end of England’s victory over Slovenia last month in the Euro 2016 qualifier, when he appeared to snub the national manager, Roy Hodgson, at full-time by heading straight for the tunnel.
The Liverpool right-back, who says Hodgson’s warning that no player has a divine right to a place will motivate him, was upset at not being chosen to start England’s 3-2 win, although he managed a late appearance as a substitute but only after his new club-mate Jordan Henderson was asked to move from midfield to right-back at half-time.
Clyne, 24, who joined Liverpool from Southampton in a £12.5m deal on 1 July, said: “Obviously I was disappointed not to play for the international team. It’s just made me more hungry to play, to push for it and try and get in the team. I feel like I’m good enough and that I should be playing, so yeah I was disappointed but football’s football and hopefully when the next game comes around I will get the call-up and get some game time.”
At the time Hodgson said: “We think Nathaniel Clyne is a very good player but I would be disappointed if anyone thought that, on the basis of a good season with their clubs, they can walk in and demand a place.”
Asked about Hodgson’s terse take on his reaction, Clyne said: “I haven’t noticed anything. I thought I just went in with the rest of them, so I’m not sure. Yes, I was disappointed but I don’t think I showed any lack of respect or anything.”
Clyne believes moving to Liverpool will enhance his hopes of establishing himself with England. “They do say once you are playing for a big club you get more of a look-in for the international team but when I was playing at Southampton I was getting a look-in. So, if I can just play as well as I was then, hopefully I can nail my spot as an international,” he said.
He would have joined Manchester United if the chance had been offered. However Louis van Gaal decided to sign Torino’s Matteo Darmian instead. Clyne said the admiration of Brendan Rodgers, the manager, made the transfer to Anfield attractive.
“It just seemed right for me to join Liverpool with the gaffer telling me there’s a spot here for a young right-back like me who is looking to push on in my career. He said he could work with me and make me into a better right-back so, yes, I was intrigued and I’ve been told how great this club is. You can see with the team and the quality that we have got, that we could push on and have a special season.
“Liverpool showed the most interest and I’m the kind of player that I want to go somewhere where I am really wanted and I felt that here.”
Despite Liverpool’s dismal end to last season which included a 6-1 trouncing by Stoke City Clyne believes they can win every competition they will enter. “It’s a big club – definitely up there,” he said. “I’m pretty confident we will go into every single competition looking to win it.”
