Shay Given
Banned
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2010
- Messages
- 3,638
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
YOU would think Fraser Forster would be easy to spot.
At 6ft 7in, he can eyeball Peter Crouch and keeps goal for one of the world's most famous clubs.
Yet Forster, who wears the gloves for Celtic tomorrow in the CIS Cup final against bitter rivals Rangers at Hampden Park, is England's invisible man.
The Geordie has never been capped at any level, be it schoolboy, Under-21 or senior. Nor has he even been in a squad.
His proudest representative honour is turning out for Northumberland.
This week Forster was again ignored for the Under-21 squad for matches against Denmark and Iceland in favour of keepers from Blackburn, Watford, Huddersfield and Reading.
His Celtic pal Gary Hooper was called up but Forster is puzzled why he cannot get a look in. It is all the more surprising because the big man, on loan from Newcastle, has, quite literally, been a huge success at Celtic Park.
Forster, just 23 but who qualifies for the Under-21s because of his age at the start of the Euro qualifying campaign, admitted: "It has been frustrating hearing England have been struggling for keepers and they still haven't looked at me.
"My greatest ambition is to get in the full England squad. I want it badly.
"Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce sat behind me in the stand when I was suspended for a cup replay against Rangers and said he was sorry I wasn't playing.
"He told me Celtic was a massive club and to keep it going. I know I could do a good job for him but he must have other ideas."
Forster wonders if he is having to play catch-up for being a relatively late starter in the game.
He added: "Maybe it's because I went to a rugby-playing school and wasn't picked up by Newcastle until I was 17 that I've missed the boat so far.
"I was doing my A-levels and planning to go on to university when I got the call to join Newcastle. I'd been on trial at Rangers, Liverpool, Hibs and Leicester but nothing came of that.
"A lot of academies get their keepers when they are 10 years old and you have to stand out quite a bit to get in when you come from outside.
"My height didn't work in my favour either. Sometimes they think you can't get down to the ball properly when you're as tall as me. You have to prove yourself over and over."
Not only has Forster been snubbed by England, he has not played for Newcastle either.
He has been on the bench 50 times for the black and whites but showed he has what it takes with a starring loan season at Norwich last year, as the Canaries won promotion to the Championship.
He kept 20 clean sheets in 38 league games and Celtic boss Neil Lennon signed him for a season on City boss Paul Lambert's recommendation.
Lambert cannot big-up Forster enough.
He said: "When he was with us, Fraser made saves that had me scratching my head thinking 'How did he get to that?'
"I'm not exaggerating. He made saves I didn't think were possible.
"Fraser is young but don't judge him by his age. He has unbelievable ability and age isn't an issue."
Forster has kept 16 clean sheets for Celtic and the Hoops have the best defensive record in Britain.
He admitted: "I didn't realise quite how big Celtic was. I'm playing in front of crowds of 50,000 and 60,000 and Old Firm games are unbelievable. You come off and your head's absolutely banging because the crowd is so loud."
He knows the CIS final will be as intense as ever.
Forster admitted: "You don't wish any violence in the Old Firm games but until you experience one you don't understand how much players and supporters get caught up in the emotion of it all.
"I was a sub for some very big games at Newcastle, including the derby against Sunderland. But the Old Firm is something else."
Forster is impatient to play in the Premier League for Newcastle.
He said: "I've had a meeting with manager Alan Pardew and the view is I will go back and challenge to be No 1.
"I'd love to get my chance. It's my club, it's where I grew up and I was a season ticket holder before I signed for them.
"I accept I'm an unknown in England. I'm not even well known in Newcastle. Hopefully, the time is coming when I change that."
Capello's No1 contenders
FRASER FORSTER wants to be England's No 1 at Euro 2012. Here are six other keepers who are likely to stand in his way. Unlike Forster, the other six all have some international experience.
JOE HART
THE Manchester City star is still only 23 and has been capped eight times. He has also represented the U-19s and U-21s. Gained vital big-game experience in PL and Europe this season.
ROBERT GREEN
WEST HAM'S keeper is the most experienced of the bunch and has won 11 caps. But the 31-year-old's horror blunder against the USA at the World Cup will be a big blot on his copybook.
BEN FOSTER
HAS been impressive despite Birmingham's struggles this season and was the star of their shock Carling Cup win. However, Foster, 27, needs his side to stay up to further his chances.
SCOTT LOACH
WATFORD'S highly-rated No 1 was called up to the senior squad to face Hungary after Foster and Paul Robinson withdrew.The 22-year-old is definitely one for the future.
FRANK FIELDING
DERBY'S 22-year-old loanee has been kept busy this season in the Championship. The Blackburn star has been rewarded with a regular place in the U-21s and was selected for the squad to face Hungary.
DAVID STOCKDALE
FULHAM'S second-choice keeper has been in two Fabio Capello squads. He has played well when given a run in the Cottagers' first team but needs to start more games.
Fraser Forster is England’s forgotten keeper | The Sun |Sport|Football
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Obviously he isnt good enough to be Englnd number 1 atm but imohe has got a point and is good enough for a full England call up. He is certainly good enough for the under-21's
Hart & Foster are quite a bit better than him, Green is marginally better but I think FF would be a better option due to his age. From what I have seen of Stockdale, Loach and Fielding (Not much of him tbh) FF is better than them.
Opinions?
Do the few that have seen him think he is good enough?
Who are the top3 English keepers?
