Kieran Trippier discusses overcoming obstacles to make it to the World Cup

Kieran Trippier has been reflecting on the ‘obstacles’ he has had to overcome in his career en route to taking the England armband at a World Cup, while claiming lighter balls may be behind a shortage of long-range goals in Qatar.

The Newcastle full-back arrived at the tournament in fine form and goes into tonight’s final Group B clash with Wales having played the opening two matches on the right-hand side of a back four.

Trippier, who has got the nod at right-back in Doha, was also passed the armband when captain Harry Kane went off in the 0-0 draw with the United States.

It was a big moment for the 32-year-old and he admits he had to put in the hard yards during loan spells at Barnsley and Burnley, before signing for the Clarets having failed to break into Manchester City’s first team.

‘There’s no shame in dropping down a league and playing in the Championship. I played there for five years, building myself up,’ Trippier said.

‘When I was first at Tottenham I didn’t play and had to be patient. It’s about obstacles and how you deal with that. I’ve overcome a lot of obstacles in my career and wouldn’t change anything.’

Former Atletico Madrid defender Trippier has become vitally important to both club and country, but is happy to go about his work relatively unnoticed.

‘I do as well as I can at every club I’ve been at and if I am called upon by England. I give 110 per cent every time I play,’ he added. ‘I just get on with my business and give everything I’ve got.’

His only international goal was his superb free-kick which gave England the lead in their World Cup semi-final loss to Croatia four years ago.

No one scored direct from a free-kick in the first week of this tournament and Trippier believes it could be down to the Al Rihla Adidas ball.

‘I would say the balls are a bit different – it is not the heat or anything,’ he said. ‘I feel it’s a bit lighter. It feels if you put too much power on it, it’ll just fly away.’

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