JASON DENAYER has admitted he is in no rush to make his Belgium international debut.
The in-form on-loan Celtic defender was called into boss Marc Wilmot’s squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers against Cyprus tomorrow and Israel on Tuesday.
However, the 19-year-old, who is poised to return to Manchester City when his loan deal expires at the end of the season, accepted there is a queue of quality players challenging for the central defensive roles in the national team.
His form in the Hoops, though, has brought him to the attention of Wilmots.
Denayer said: “At the start, it was a bit strange because I came from the reserves at Manchester City and it’s different to playing for the first team.
“But I have taken my chance and I’m happy to start every game now.
“I’m also delighted because it’s my objective to be selected for my country, so I’m very happy to go with the team. I’m very proud to represent my country and, so, too, are my family.
“It means I can go home and see them and they can come and watch the game.
“Perhaps one day I’ll play for Belgium against Virgil Van Dijk, if he was playing for Holland. It would be great to play against each other. It would be tough, but also fun.
“I don’t know if I’ll get my chance, but I’ll wait and see what happens.
“It’s not easy because there are very good players like Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen, players who are captains of their respective clubs.
“So it’s difficult for me to say, yes, I deserve to play, but to be in the group, first and foremost, at 19 years old is very good.
“I’ll just keep going and I think, with time, I will play. You can still learn from just training with these players, so it’s all good.”
