NICK POPE admits he is some distance behind England number one Jordan Pickford.
The Burnley keeper will make his fourth senior appearance tonight against Ireland and has yet to concede a goal.
Boss Gareth Southgate has already claimed that no other keeper is ‘seriously’ challenging Pickford even though he was dropped for one game by Everton.
Pope, 28, said: “I think it’s fair to say Jordan is number one at the minute.
“If you look at the last 25, 30 fixtures, he’d have played probably 28 of them.
“So, a person with that sort of record in the national team, I think, deserves to be called number one, he has earned it. It’s not happened overnight.
“I think I’ve done quite well for England in those three games. No goals is always a massive bonus for a goalkeeper and you can’t ask for much more in terms of goals against.
“But I don’t think I’ve been overly tested in all the games either so I don’t think I’m walking round thinking I’m the best goalkeeper in the world.”
Pope also admitted that keepers have to accept stick when it is flying around.
Asked about the criticism handed out by England keeper Martyn Margetson, Pope smiled.
He said: “I’ve not seen it to be honest. I’ll have to have a look later.
“Generally, you know when you’ve made a mistake and can feel or know if you’re in a good run of form or a bad run. I think that’s just part of being a goalkeeper.
“You’ve got to have thick skin, be brave and have a big character to get through those moments, come through the other side and ride mistakes, put performances together and start the cycle again of being in good form.
“I think it’s just part and parcel of being a goalkeeper. Your goalkeeping coach is there and if you want criticism from anyone, or advice or pointers, it’s your goalkeeping coach.
“They’ve been underneath a crossbar, they’ve been in that position themselves and want only the best for you.”
