Northern Ireland v Greece (02/06/2022)

UP FOR THE CHALLENGE

A first start in a green shirt , having won all of his previous eight caps as a substitute, is high on the 26-year-old’s international agenda. A first goal at international level is also a major incentive heading into tonight’s League C Group 2 opener against Greece at the National Football Stadium. Collectively he’s also eager to fuel the national team’s quest to return to League B for the next edition of the Nations League by topping a pool that also includes Kosovo and Cyprus. “We’re the highest ranked team in our group so everyone else will be out to beat us, but it’s a good challenge to have,” said Charles. “Four games in 10 or 11 days this month is also a challenge, but we want to get off to a positive start against Greece.” Charles, who made his debut in a 2-1 friendly defeat to the USA 15 months ago, won his last cap with a lively cameo off the bench in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Hungary in March. “I’ve been involved with the senior squad for over a year and you could say it was my bedding- in period, but now I want to build on that ,” he said. “I haven’t started in my eight games so far, so my main aim now is to get some full caps. “I feel I’m improving each time I get on the pitch with Northern Ireland and hopefully my first international goal isn’t too far away either. “I want to start playing regularly at international level and I want to do everything I can to ensure I get opportunities in the starting eleven. Hopefully I can do it in this camp.” Charles received a new lease of life in January when he joined Bolton from Accrington Stanley where he hadn’t played a league game for three months because of a contract dispute.

In the second half of the campaign with The Trotters, the lively forward scored eight goals and contributed three assists in 24 League One outings for his new club. “I had to bide my time at Accrington and as soon as Bolton showed an interest in January, it was a no-brainer for me,” he said. “It’s on my doorstep, it’s a massive club and we play a brand of football that benefits me. I didn’t want the season to end to be honest . “I scored eight goals and had three assists, so I had over 10 goal involvements. As a striker I was happy with that return.” Charles’ most bizarre goal for his new club came in a 4-2 win over F leetwood in April . He made a tackle near the halfway line and then watched as the ball soared over the keeper’s head from 45 yards out . “I one hundred percent meant it - I saw the keeper off his line,” he chuckled. “No, it was a really strange one. I thought ‘oh my God, this could go in’. I was in shock. “I’m a wholehearted player, I went in hard to win the ball , the guy jumped out of the way and the ball ended up going over the keeper’s head. I couldn’t recreate it if I tried.”

IRISHFA.COM

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