Source: Daily_Mail
Kyle Walker's flying high after man-of-the-match display in England win
Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker hailed a 'whirlwind' two years after being named man of the match on his full England debut against Sweden tonight. Walker was playing in the npower Championship and for England Under 19s this time two years ago but the past few days have capped a meteoric rise for the 21-year-old. Case for the defence: Walker impressed on his full England debut After coming off the bench to earn his first cap in England's shock victory over Spain on Saturday, Walker took full advantage of his first start in this evening's 1-0 win over Sweden at Wembley. Meteoric rise: Walker has hailed a 'whirlwind' two years 'It's been a whirlwind of a two years for me,' Walker said. 'I was in the under 19 squad two years ago. 'I'm thankful for the opportunity I got tonight and, hopefully, I can keep going.' He added: 'It's an honour, really to get out on the pitch and finally show what I can do. 'I'm grateful and I owe a lot to my mum and dad for this.' Walker appeared to form an instant understanding with winger Theo Walcott, who he compared to Spurs team-mate Aaron Lennon. 'I play with Azza at club level - he's a great player - and Theo's just like Azza,' he said. Perfect 10: Gareth Barry flicks a headerthat deflects in off Swedish defender Daniel Majstorovic'Hopefully, we built up and understanding and we crack on from there.'Walker, who was himself compared to Roberto Carlos during this summer's European Under 21 Championships in Denmark, admitted it had been 'a massive step up' to senior international level. 'You have to always concentrate. There are more experienced players. There are more dangerous players,' he said. 'But the under 21s is a fantastic level as well and you have to have that experience coming up through there to get into the seniors. Heads we win: Barry's defelcted first-half header was enough to steal spoils'Thankfully, the gaffer Stuart Pearce gave me the opportunity to play there in the summer and I think I learnt a lot from that as well.' As did three of Walker's team-mates tonight - Phil Jones, Jack Rodwell and Daniel Sturridge - while Danny Welbeck was only missing because of injury. Walker said: 'It's an exciting squad now. It's full of youngsters - me, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones, Rodwell - the list goes on. 'We're all in the manager's thoughts and I hope we're there in the summer.' He added: 'I just want to go out there and play football - what I enjoy doing. 'The rest can take care of itself. I need to keep playing club football and hopefully keep performing at club football and then we'll look towards the summer.' Martin Samuel: Returning England captain Terry now immune to the boos crews of Wembley England 1 Sweden 0: Rodwell and Jones do Capello proud as Young Lions break 43-year jinxWembley match zone: Zamora is taking over Heskey role I would NEVER stand down as England captain, says under-fire Terry after Sweden win Jamie Redknapp: Walker looks like a right-sided Cole after showing his class on full England debut