JOHNSTONE DRIVEN ON BY VAN DER SAR
SAM JOHNSTONE has revealed how Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar inspired him to become a Premier League star – and now he’s homing in on a potential England debut.
The West Brom goalkeeper joined United as a 10-year-old and was in one of their most successful year groups, playing alongside Jesse Lingard, Ravel Morrison, Will and Michael Keane and Paul Pogba.
Johnstone impressed goalkeeper coach Eric Steele and was fast-tracked into the first-team squad, although at the time David De Gea had just signed for £20million and Johnstone was forced to go out on loan to seven different clubs.
He eventually left United for Albion in July 2018 without making a firstteam appearance at Old Trafford.
Yet Johnstone said of his United upbringing: “I was there from such a young age and would get tickets for the games, so I’d go and watch United with my mum and dad.
“I’d then go into training and be buzzing to see the first-team players and train with them.
“Edwin van der Sar was there but I’d be buzzing off the outfield players as well, the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdinand.
“Van der Sar was the one I really looked up to, trained with and watched at home games.
“He was an inspiration for me to go and make it in the Premier League myself one day.”
Despite the Baggies’ relegation this season, £20million-rated Johnstone
KEEPING WELL Johnstone has impressed for West Brom this season made over 150 saves – more than any other goalkeeper in the top flight – and is being linked with the likes of West Ham and Leeds.
Having been named in Gareth Southgate’s initial 33-man Euro 2020 squad, he dreams of clinching a place in the final 26-strong group that will be named on Tuesday.
Johnstone could yet make his senior England debut this week, with friendlies against Austria on Wednesday and then Romania next Sunday.
The 28-year-old, capped 31 times by England through Under-16, U17, U19 and U20 levels when at United, said: “I’m still a West Brom player and I’m just looking forward to going away with England, working hard and being proud of the moment.
“I know there has been a lot of talk about my future but it’s in West Brom’s hands rather than mine so I’ll just put it to the back of my head.
“You never know what can happen in football because it’s a crazy world where things change quickly.
“I’ve still got a year left on my contract at West Brom so, as things stands, I’ll be going back there for pre-season.
“I’m gutted we got relegated but I’ve played against some of the best players in the world and made saves against them. I’ve made the most saves in the Premier League.
“I just have to be fit, fresh and ready for these England friendlies and then see what happens after that.
“It’s down to the manager whether I play but it would be an incredibly proud moment if I did.
“To make the Euros squad would be unbelievable.”