Hatters Ethan Horvath and Tom Lockyer headed off from Kenilworth Road after Saturday’s match to join up with their national teams for the World Cup – and they do so with the best wishes of everyone at Luton Town!
USA keeper Horvath and Wales central defender Lockyer could meet in their respective squads’ Group B opener in Qatar next Monday, November 21st.
That 7pm kick-off follows on from the big game of the day, of course – the opening match of the group, England v Iran, at 1pm!
Horvath, 27, is the first to take on the Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions when the USA play England on Friday November 25th, with a 7pm kick-off.
Lockyer's Red Dragons play Iran earlier that day, with a match kicking off at 10am.
The final group matches take place on Tuesday November 29th when the Americans play Iran, and Locks could line up against Harry Kane and Co at 7pm.
Mick Harford delivered a special message to Town supporters and both Qatar-bound players during his post-match Press conference on Saturday.
“I’d just like to say something about the team and the club,” said Big Mick. “Eight years ago we were in the Conference, and the evolution has been unbelievable in terms of where we’ve come from and where we are now.
“When you look at it – and I said this to the players – all of that squad have enabled two players in there who are going to the World Cup, from Luton Town Football Club.
“It is totally unbelievable that we have players playing at the World Cup, and that is a credit to the football club, the squad and obviously the two lads – Ethan and Locks – who are going off to play in a World Cup. As the interim manager, I wish them all the very best and hope they do well out there.”
Their team-mate Jordan Clark spoke of how the two young boys pictured below will be fulfilling a childhood dream shared by everyone in the dressing room: “Full credit to them. It’s such an achievement for both of them, and all the lads are proud of them.
"It just makes you think about when you’re a young kid, and in the academy around 12,13, and everyone wants to be a professional footballer, but my goal was to play for my country. That’s what I wanted to do.
“Obviously I might not ever make it, but to see them do it is unbelievable and full credit to them.
“Looking at Locks, he’s come from Bristol Rovers, through the academy, and I’m sure they’ll be dead proud as well. It’s a load of hard work and we wish them both all the best. Hopefully they can get some game time and a little bit of luck, and see how they end up in the World Cup.”
In his programme notes ahead of the game, CEO Gary Sweet wrote: “Massive congratulations go to two of those players who performed heroics at Bloomfield Road a week ago, with Ethan Horvath and Tom Lockyer called up by the USA and Wales for the World Cup.
"It’s a huge achievement for both lads, and we will watch proudly as two Hatters can hopefully force their way into their respective starting line-ups and come up against each other in their group opener next week.”
Good luck lads from everyone connected to LTFC - do us proud!
