MICAH RICHARDS has revealed he almost missed out on his first England cap — by putting the phone down on boss Steve McClaren! The Manchester City starlet became England’s youngest-ever defender when he played against Holland in a friendly last month.
But £15million-rated Richards admits he could have ended his England career before it had even started.
He said: “I was in a barbers in Moss Side when my mobile phone rang.
“This voice said ‘this is Steve McClaren here...’
“I just said, ‘yeah, whatever’ and hung up.
“Then he called again and I listened to his voice and could tell it really was the England manager.
“He just congratulated me on being selected and said ‘well done, you deserve it.’ I’m just glad he called back!”
Right-back Richards, 18, justified his call-up with a superb display against Dutch winger Arjen Robben in Amsterdam last month.
And although he may seem the sort who takes everything in his stride, do not ask him to fly. For Richards thought he was going to die before his England debut.
The memory of the plane journey to Holland sticks with him more than marking Robben out of the game.
He added: “I thought that the flight to Amsterdam with England would be my last.
“It felt as though we were going to drop out of the sky due to turbulence. We were going from side to side — it was the scariest day of my life.”
Since standing in for Gary Neville, Richards’ stock has risen greatly and he has been linked with a move to champions Chelsea.
However, he insists he is staying at City and will further his international aspirations at Eastlands.
Skipper Richard Dunne reckons City need have no fear as they prepare for Saturday’s derby at Old Trafford.
After Monday’s disappointing home draw with Watford, they are in the top half of the table for the first time since August.
While City continue to find goals hard to come by, Dunne feels their defensive solidity gives them great heart for the United clash.
He said: “Any time you move up the league it is a good day, so at least we can go into the derby with no fear.”