Keith Curle has paid tribute to Graham Taylor - the man who gave him his England debut.

The Carlisle manager won three caps for his country after being selected by Taylor, whose death was announced on Thursday.

"He selected me when there was probably a lot of scepticism, whether I was the right person," Curle said.

"Graham is an individual that gave me belief that I could play. I was a centre-back but he played me at right-back, left-back and a sweeper.

"That wasn't because I couldn't play centre-back, it was, at the time, the players he had available at the time at centre-back were in his opinion better than me or more acquitted to what was needed at international football.

"But he saw in me the ability that I could be versatile as a squad member and also had the ability to play at right-back, left-back and sweeper.

"Somebody that can instil that belief into a player that had doubts because you get called up to represent your country - fantastic achievement.

"Then you mix yourself with the household names, proper international players that could play on the international stage.

"You find yourself thrust into that environment and then being asked to play out of position. The time I spent with Graham, I went on to the field, believing I could contribute and I knew what I needed to do to play in his team.

"That shows a lot of respect, the time he took out for me as an individual."

Curle had also met Taylor after he had hung up his boots.

He said: "I have very fond memories. I met him after the international scene, as well.

"I did Football League supplied business management at Warwick University and he came down to hand out the accreditation at the end, which was excellent.

"He did a speech and showed the managerial side of what was going to be required, as well.

"He has touched a lot of people in football, a lot of good people.

"I think you'll find, people Graham Taylor had an association with, they all respect him. Not only as a man, as a football man."