Dan Burn is a new-found national cult hero but England face a stern test in Norway and Erling Haaland tonight.
Dan Burn is ready to stand up for his country should Thomas Tuchel call upon him to neutralise Erling Haaland.
Newcastle United supporters proudly roared the Blyth native on in the closing stages of England’s triumph over Mexico last weekend. Burn headed, blocked, kicked and cleared as a 10-man Three Lions side valiantly booked a spot in the quarter-finals.
However, a sterner test awaits as Tuchel’s side prepare to face Norway tonight. Haaland’s brace dumped Brazil out of the World Cup in the last 16 - taking his goal tally for the competition to seven.
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Dan Burn ready for Erling Haaland challenge
Many fans have called upon Burn to start the clash given his impressive record. Manchester City superstar Haaland has scored just once in eight games against the 6ft 7in defender.
“I don't want to jinx it, but yeah, one goal,” Burn told talkSPORT about facing Haaland. “I do enjoy playing against Erling purely just from a physical point of view. I quite like that sort of physical battle. I get on well with him on the pitch.
“We do get on quite well, although you'd have to ask him if he thinks the same thing. But yeah, if I'm asked to do that (mark Haaland), I'd be more than ready and more than happy to do that. Obviously, I also know that we've got four other centre-halves who are also top-quality players and have played this whole tournament because of that too.”
‘I know what I’m good at’ - Dan Burn
Burn is the remaining Newcastle player left at the World Cup. Before the tournament, some England fans questioned Thomas Tuchel’s decision to take him.
Having now justified his selection, Burn added: “I understand people's opinion, but the only people's opinions I care about are the manager's and my teammates. But I think that was nice as well, because I think until you get on the pitch and you show people what you can do, I feel like you probably earn that little bit of respect from it as well.
“I came to the tournament knowing that I wasn't going to start. I'd had the conversations with the manager, but I also know what I'm good at. I knew there were going to be opportunities where I could come and make a difference, so I'm just happy that I could do that.”
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