Ex-England star Jack Butland on World Cup exit and Hull City's first week back

Former England goalkeeper Jack Butland admits the manner of the Three Lions' defeat to Argentina on Wednesday night was the hardest thing to take.

Despite leading through Anthony Gordon's strike, England capitulated in the final few minutes to ultimately lose 2-1 and miss out on a place in Sunday's final in New Jersey against Spain.

Huge criticism has been dished out to boss Thomas Tuchel for his substitutions and tactics in the final stages, which allowed the reigning world champions to fight back and overcome an England team that wilted in Atlanta.

Butland, who made his debut for his country at the age of just 19, admits England were dumped out with something of a whimper, having dealt with Lionel Messi and co well until the game turned on Enzo Fernandez's fizzing drive with five minutes left.

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"I think there's so there'so much to say. I think the overriding feeling is just disappointment that we went out the way we did," Hull City's first summer arrival told Hull Live.

"There's gonna be plenty of people dissect it, I think it's almost the fact that we went out with a bit of a whimper in the end is the is the hardest thing to take, so hopefully the right things are taken from it and next time we find ourselves in that situation, we come out on top of it rather than the way that we did."

The experienced goalkeeper was speaking at the end of his first week of pre-season training with City, having made the move down from Rangers earlier this month, and he's been impressed with what he's seen so far.

"It's been good fun, hard work, but it's been good fun," he continued. "It's a great group of lads that I've come into, which I heard from outside that it's a good group, and you need that to get promoted.

"You need a good core of characters, and it's definitely that, but we've worked hard. It's a great group of goalies as well, and with Erb's (Erbil Bozkurt), the goalie coach, we've had some tough sessions, but I've really felt the love. It feels like a great place to be, and I'm excited to be here."

Butland arrived on Monday when the rest of the squad reported back for their first full day of training since that historic win at Wembley in the play-off final.

"There's a lot of excitement. I only wish I were part of the celebrations, that's the only thing I missed out on, but there's a lot of good feelings around the place, a lot of excitement for the season ahead, it's a great club to be at."

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