The two Hatters will face-off at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium later today for the Group B match between USA and Wales (7pm kick-off).

Speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio this morning, Harford said: “I believe it’s very special for the football club. Over the last few years we have come a long way and to be where we are at the moment, to have two players playing for their national team obviously Tom for Wales and Ethan for USA, it’s brilliant for the football club and absolutely brilliant for them as players.

“They are really good lads, they have worked really hard to get where they are and it’s a great achievement for everyone.”

Ethan Horvath’s emotional story resonated with a number of supporters, after he spoke of how supportive his parents have been throughout his football career.

“His family travelled with him abroad to Norway, they backed him and spent a lot of time, effort and money to make him into the goalkeeper he is. The video we saw online was unbelievable, how he thanked his parents for helping him achieve what he wanted to.

“Tom is the same. He has worked really hard to get where he is, their great lads and a massive part of our squad.”

On his own national team experience, Harford described the chance to represent England as ‘the proudest moment’ of his career.

“Standing next to Peter Beardsley against Denmark, we won one-nil and it was a magnificent achievement for myself and my family. I was just so proud to have achieved it, it’s massive for every footballer and that is the pinnacle of your career basically.”