‘I was desperate to score for him’ – McAtee dedicates England U21 double to ‘special’ Baldock

An emotional James McAtee dedicated his double for England U21s to former team-mate George Baldock, who passed away at the age of 31 this week.

McAtee spent two years with Baldock at Sheffield United, where they won promotion to the Premier League together.

After scoring a brilliant double to secure a 2-1 win over Ukraine U21s at the Vitality Stadium, McAtee unveiled a shirt paying tribute to Baldock.

And the Manchester City youngster paid tribute to his former team-mate after the game.

“It’s been a tough week,” he said.

“I’ve been speaking to some of my old team-mates and it’s been hard to speak to them to be honest.

“Luckily I’ve been here with my mates from the England team and I’m trying to stay away from it while also keeping him in my mind and I played tonight for him.”

A tearful McAtee continued: “Everyone knows he was a special player. He was a special person. All the tributes to him, it’s so emotional and I just wish his family all the best.

“I was focused on the game and I had that under my shirt so I was desperate to score and I did so that was in honour of him.”

The Greece team, the nation which Baldock represented at international level, also dedicated their victory over England earlier this week to their team-mate.

And McAtee thanked Baldock for his role in helping him and fellow Manchester City loanee Tommy Doyle settle in at Sheffield United: “Even when I left he was still texting me. When I was there he welcomed me with open arms and looked after me and Tommy (Doyle) very well.”

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