Former England stars praised James Trafford’s “brilliant attitude” after the Cumbrian’s night to remember.

The Greysouthen goalkeeper was the national team’s hero thanks to his late penalty save in the Euro Under-21 final against Spain.

Trafford, 20, was delighted with his part in England’s glory as they won the tournament for the first time since 1984.

But the young keeper, whose injury-time save from Abel Ruiz earned him a place in history, was also self-critical in interviews after the game.

The Manchester City keeper admitted his performance in the 1-0 win had not been perfect – and that earned praise from former international stars.

Ex-England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, a pundit for Channel 4, said: “It’s a brilliant attitude.

“You can see from that that he wants to become England’s No1.

“That’s what it’s gonna take, to criticise your own game to a point where you know you can improve in certain areas.

“Then you can move forward. that’s something he will work on.”

England defensive legend and former Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce was also pleased to hear the perfectionist in former Carlisle United academy keeper Trafford.

“There will be little things in his game I’m sure he’ll look at, handling situations, and you’re always looking to get slightly better," Pearce said. "Maybe playing out from the back when he’s pressed or whatever.

“But you’ve got to strive for excellence, if you’re a modern-day professional footballer with everything at your disposal.

“You can’t just accept mediocrity. Because the profession won’t allow you to do so if you want to get to the very top.”