Young full-back Ryan Andrews admitted he’s still getting to grips with the reality of his latest career milestone, following his call-up to the England Under-20s squad late last week.
The Hornets’ Academy product – who turned 19 at the end of August – linked up with the Young Lions for a five-day training camp on Monday (September 4), as part of a 24-man squad named by Interim Head Coach Joe Edwards.
The training camp precedes October’s Euro Under-20 Elite League, during which Andrews will look to represent his country for the first time against Romania in Bucharest (October 12), and in a home fixture against Portugal (date and venue TBC).
“It’s a surreal moment to have been called up by my country,” Andrews said. “I called everyone to tell them the news, and my dad in particular was so happy because he knows how hard I’ve been working.
“I think it’s something that everyone dreams of growing up – if you play football you want to represent your country, so to have been given the opportunity is a massive personal achievement for me.”
Andrews’ international recognition comes off the back of a rapid rise to prominence at Vicarage Road, with his latest first-team appearance at Coventry City (Saturday September 2) marking his 13th at senior level, and 11th in the Sky Bet Championship following his professional debut against Reading in the Emirates FA Cup in January.
And having missed out on a place in England’s squad for the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina over the summer, he is determined to seize this latest opportunity and follow in the footsteps of some of the most high-profile figures in the game.
He added: “The last five months or so have been a bit crazy, but I’m delighted to be in the position I’m in today. I was on standby for the Under-20 World Cup so there was a bit of disappointment not to go there, but I knew if I continued to work hard there’d be another chance and the time has come now.
“I look up to the likes of Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier – they’re all playing at the top level for the senior England side, so I’ll just keep striving to follow their path and keep doing my best every day.”
