England v Brazil: Anthony Gordon says playing Scotland over England was 'never an idea'

Newcastle striker Anthony Gordon said playing for Scotland was “no risk at all” after receiving his first England senior call-up.

The 23-year-old has scored 10 goals and made seven assists in all competitions for Newcastle this season.

Scotland were interested in securing his services as he qualified to play through his forefathers.

Reports suggested they would move for Gordon when he missed the last England squad.

Three Lions coach Gareth Southgate said Gordon was “very close” to being selected at the time.

“This was never on my mind and this is no disrespect to Scotland at all,” Gordon said.

“I've had a tunnel vision about playing for England since I was five or six years old and nothing could take that away. I'll never forgive myself if I don't get to that point.”

“It was a dream I had since I was very young and nothing else came to mind.”

England have great depth in the attacking areas of the pitch and Gordon will compete for a place with Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen.

However, Gordon, who won the European Under-21 Championship last summer with England, believes his call-up has come at the right time for him to break into Southgate's squad ahead of this summer's European Championship in Germany.

“I don't think I've been consistent in my career yet,” he added.

“If you don't do that, you won't get into this team. I'm very grateful for that as I can show a great account of myself now.

“Maybe if I had come earlier it would have been a little early. It all came at the right time.”

“From the outside when you're trying to break in, you know you have to be really consistent and be at your best to get close to the team because of the level around me in my positions.

“I was able to do that this year. Now I'm enjoying it and training and doing things, and the level is very high and I'm learning from the best players in the country.”

England will play Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday before hosting Belgium on Tuesday. These matches are the last time Southgate works with his players before he names his coaching team next May for the European Championship.