Taylor Harwood-Bellis has responded after Roy Keane described his England debut goal as a "bittersweet" moment for him.
On Sunday evening the Southampton centre-back came off the bench to make his first senior England appearance and enjoyed a dream start at Wembley, heading home a Jude Bellingham cross to score the fifth goal against the Republic of Ireland and seal promotion back to the A section in the UEFA Nations League.
The 22-year-old became the fourth England player to open their account for the Three Lions after Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen found the net following Harry Kane's opener from the spot early in the second half.
But Harwood-Bellis did it just 17 minutes after making his bow in international football and against Ireland, where his future father-in-law Keane was capped 67 times.
Advert
The Manchester City academy product is engaged to Keane's daughter Leah and spoke about receiving advice from him after being called up by Lee Carsley.
Keane was providing punditry on the game for ITV and in analysing Harwood-Bellis' goal, said he had mixed emotions. Presenter Mark Pougatch brought up the defender becoming his son-in-law in the near future, with Manchester United legend Keane joking: "It's not done and dusted yet! A lot can change in the Keane household let me tell you!".
Harwood-Bellis, who captained England Under 21's under Carsley, wildly celebrated after finding the net at Wembley Stadium and could not hide his delight after being asked about his special debut.
"‘It is a great day for me and my family," he told ITV, as per The Mirror.
"It's every young kid's dream to make their debut, and to score the goal is magical. I had a few hints yesterday that I would be needed at some point, when I got the nod to come on I was over the moon.
"There's always a pathway and us young ones, we do believe we can get into the seniors. We know the door is open if we take our chances, I've got to thank Lee [Carsley] for calling me up and I have repaid him with a nice goal.
"Playing for my country at every level is something I take such pride in. To play for the seniors is something you dream of, it is the pinnacle of football, to do it and score is some feeling."
Harwood-Bellis wore the No.16 which Keane is synonymous with during his career but he already has the edge of him one department as it took Keane three years to find the net for his country.
Keane did describe his daughter's fiance as a "really nice kid" and praised his goal threat after moving to Southampton from City for a fee of £20 million in the summer.
Josh Lawless