JUDE BELLINGHAM never thought he would be part of the England squad at this stage of his career, let alone be making history as the youngest ever player to feature at a European Championships.

After bursting onto the scene at Birmingham City and flourishing with Borussia Dortmund, the 17-year-old midfield sensation was named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-strong squad for this summer’s rearranged tournament.

Bellingham has shown maturity that belies his tender years and replaced former Newcastle United full-back Jetro Willems as the youngest-ever player to grace the Euros when he was brought on from the bench in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Croatia.

“It’s not bad, to be fair, it’s a good record,” the England midfielder said after making his major tournament bow aged 17 years and 349 days. “When you just set your mind on something and you just try and follow it through and manage to do it so buzzing with that, to be fair.

“I just never thought I’d be here, really. If it was when it was supposed to take place last summer, I would have been nowhere near it obviously.

“But I think I’ve just had a good season, kept my head down and things have kind of just come one after another and I’ve managed to get here.

“I’m just trying to represent my country well and my family and that.”

Bellingham replaced captain Harry Kane with eight minutes remaining at Wembley at the weekend, where he battled on after a knock and faced Croatia star Luka Modric.

“I got a bang to the head that really hurt but I was just trying to do my job,” he told the FA's Lions’ Den in the build-up to tomorrow night’s clash with Scotland.

“I was thinking, ‘Don’t you dare let them get back in the game while you’re on the pitch’, so every ball that was there to be won, I just tried to go through it and get it back for us.

“(Modric) was probably the highlight for them, he had a really good game. You’re watching him from the sideline thinking, ‘How would I approach it coming against him?’

“In a minute, you’re against him and you kind of just have to work it out as you’re on the job. I thought I’d done alright so I’ve just to keep it going.”

Bellingham was delighted to step out at Wembley in front of his family, having been unable to play with them in the stands in a competitive match for some time due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The 17-year-old’s chances to see loved ones have also been impacted by the pandemic during his first year in Germany, but he is loving life at Dortmund.

“To be fair, it was a decision that was quite easy in the end,” said Bellingham, who Manchester United had hoped to sign. "I think if you look at Dortmund’s track record with young players and the way they develop them, it was the obvious answer.

“Obviously, at the time it’s hard to see it like that because you’ve got so many other options: to stay at Birmingham, etc.

“But my strength of character I’d say it comes from my parents and stuff. In terms of the decision I made, I had all their support throughout the whole way so I was quite comfortable in making it.”

Bellingham will be back on the bench tomorrow, and will hope to make another tournament appearance at some stage.