Heartbreak for Royals Keepers

Reading goalkeepers Alex McCarthy and Mikkel Andersen suffered heartbreak at the Euro U21 Championships in Denmark as both of their respective countries England and Denmark, suffered a swift exit after failing to make it past the group stages.

Andersen played every game for the Danes and put in a top performance in their 3-1 defeat of Iceland, making 2 top class saves.

McCarthy however had to settle for a place on the bench as Derby’s Frankie Fielding took the number one spot, which shocked many considering Alex starting previous U21 games and putting in solid performances.

Alex could only watch as England fell to the Czech Republic 2-1 as it seemed they were within touching distance of the semi-finals only for the Czech’s to score 2 goals in the last 5 minutes to drown England hopes.

There was a strong Royal following in Denmark, with a number of fans spotted in TV pictures, baring the flag for the Royals and in support of our young goalkeepers.

Former Royals Ryan Bertrand and Gylfi Sigurdsson also played all 3 of their games for their country.

I think this just goes to prove what a fantastic choice of goalkeepers we have at the club, with praise also going to goalkeeper coach Sal Bibbo, who also spoke of his pride in both of them being selected for the Championships.

With Federici being linked with a number of Premier League teams, despite him being a top class keeper, it would not be disasterous if he went, with 2 fantastic future prospects in the waiting.