Adam Johnson wants to make amends for his World Cup finals omission by winning a stack of England caps.
The Manchester City winger found out from Fabio Capello's right hand man Franco Baldini that he would not be part of the final 23 for South Africa, but he experienced the other side of the coin on Friday night by scoring on his competitive debut for his country in a Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria at Wembley.
He said: "Scoring my first goal was just a massive moment for me. It's obviously put the game to bed (at 3-0) which was another good thing. I want to push on and get as many caps as I can."
He added: "I've had a lot of texts saying it was a fluke! I haven't seen it again, but I'm sure I will. I'm sure my mum and dad have recorded it. I'm sure I'll get to see it."
Johnson admitted his disappointment at missing out on a place in this year's World Cup squad because he believed he was in great form at the time.
He added: Johnson said: "I just got a phone call from Franco Baldini saying 'sorry you did really well but you are not in the World Cup squad, so enjoy your holidays'.
"It was pretty sharp. I didn't really feel like talking. That was it really. But he said he would see me in squads in the future.
"If you had said to me when I was playing in the Championship in January, that I would be in the initial 30 for the World Cup squad I probably would have took that. But, obviously knowing I was in good form and City were playing well and I was playing every game...that was the only disappointment (about not being selected)."
Johnson was overjoyed with his goal against the Bulgarians but knows he has plenty of work to do to establish himself long term.
He added: "My family, not just my mates, will keep my feet on the ground. Everyone has always been like that around me but I think I will know myself if I get too carried away or anything like that. I have to keep going and I can't just settle on my laurels because I've scored one goal for England."
Source: PA
