BILLY Mercer has described Tom Heaton’s latest England call-up as an even bigger achievement than his first.

As the only player outside of the Premier League to be named in Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino on Saturday and Switzerland tomorrow night, it is a feather in the cap of the Burnley goalkeeper, as well as the club as a whole.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Mercer, the Clarets goalkeeping coach, said the 29-year-old’s debut call-up was the perfect pick-me-up for all concerned in the aftermath of relegation from the Premier League.

But he feels that Heaton retaining his place in the Three Lions’ fold is even more meaningful.

“I said to Tom, the first call-up was unbelievable but to be called up again, for me, was bigger and better because he’s obviously done something special while he was there and they think a lot of him.

“When he got his first call-up there was a few injuries with Ben Foster, Fraser Forster, and now there are other English lads playing in the Premier League, so for Tom to get called up, it’s just testament to how well he’s done.”

Mercer has witnessed first-hand Heaton’s progress since arriving at Turf Moor as a free transfer a little over two years ago.

“For Tom himself it’s been a remarkable journey,” he said.

“When we signed Tom I don’t think we were thinking England.

“We were thinking ‘a top Championship goalkeeper’ and I think he’s proven that.

“Having gone into the Premier League and had the season he’s had he’s been absolutely fantastic.

“He has changed physically and tactically and a lot of credit goes to the guys behind the scenes with the fitness guys and obviously the gaffer and Ian (Woan) and Tony (Loughlan) for the tactical side of it. But Tom is just constantly wanting to learn, that’s the biggest thing with him. He doesn’t give up on anything, he just strives to get better and better in every part of his game.

“All goalkeepers are demanding in their own little way, that’s why they say the group is quite tight.

“He’s very thoughtful in everything he does – before a game and after a game. The cogs are always turning with Tom, as it is with a lot of goalkeepers, but he is very big on fine margins.

“He’s pushing the sports science guys to the limit as well because he wants to get fitter and stronger in areas, and again tactically he wants to get better and more astute.

“That’s why we’re here, the team behind the team are all striving to get everyone better.

Mercer, who started his career at Liverpool and went on to play predominantly for Rotherham and Chesterfield, added: “To go from being relegated with Bristol City to coming in here and getting promoted and having a great season personally, and then to get the international call-up just topped it off.

“It was a sad end for all of us but that really cheered a lot of people up.

“It was the natural progression for me because he’s been that good.

“He’s in there now and let’s hope he can stay there.”

But for every success story of a number one, there is an understudy waiting patiently for his opportunity, and at Burnley that man is Matt Gilks.

“That’s tough because I believe Matt will play in most Championship sides, he’s that good,” said Mercer.

“To sustain the level that Tom has is down to Tom, but when you’ve got someone breathing down your neck behind you that’s as good as Gilksy that has to keep you on your toes even more so.

“So a lot of credit goes to Gilksy, and I know how difficult it can be because I did it for a year at Sheffield United and I found it very, very tough.

“He’s disappointed obviously, he wants to play, and that’s how we want it. We don’t want lads to be happy that they’re not playing. But he’s very respectful of the fact that Tom’s in on merit.

“Obviously he’ll have his ups and downs about not playing and that’s where we have to be there and support him and get him through that.

“But he’s a strong character, a fantastic professional, so I’ve no issues with him at all and I don’t worry about him.

“I empathise with him because I know it’s difficult, but it’s testament to Matt as well because he’s pushing himself and he’s getting fitter and stronger as well so we’re really happy with what we’ve got here in that department, along with the two young boys.

“Conor Mitchell’s with the Ireland squad now and doing remarkably well and Daniel Nizic is doing well with the development team.”

Mercer added: “I’ve never had a bad group that don’t work together.

“They call it the goalkeeping union and they’re quite a tight-knit set of lads.

“We all know what our job is and they work unbelievably hard together and Tom and Matt do bounce off each other.

“They’re two characters, two different characters, which is good as well because if they were both alike I think I’d be totally grey.

“Gilksy’s a bit old school in the fact that he is really into the physical side of training, he’s really high tempo.

“Tom is a little more methodical in how we do things, so you have to mix and match and look after both their needs.

“You get different characters. Brian Jensen was a different breed altogether. Lee Grant was different again.

“That’s what makes them all unique.

“Brian deserves a lot of credit for the service he gave to the football club and the success that he had, and Lee had a fantastic year before the summer he left.

“But these two, Tom in particular, has taken it to a different level.”