Northern Ireland vs Bulgaria (15/10/2024)

SHEA CHARLES CHARLES WOULD LOVE A WINDSOR GOAL

Charles feels the Nations League will always hold a special place in his heart, given it was the competition he made his debut in, and also spoke of the pride he feels in playing for Northern Ireland and manager Michael O’Neill. “I love it (playing for Northern Ireland),” continued Charles, who has been enjoying his game time with Wednesday this season after a frustrating campaign with the Saints in the Championship last term. “I get on really well with the manager, all the coaches and all the players. It is a good young squad. We have been together for a while now and we all gel well. “I got my first taste of professional football playing for Northern Ireland and have been part of the team now for a few years. It is really special to come to every camp and be playing regularly in the games. It feels like yesterday that I played my first game. It really does fly by. “The manager is really good with me. We always talk about club football and when I come in I can feel the trust that he has in me to play me. I have won 19 caps now so obviously it is clear that he has a bit of trust in me.” And having played so many games, and been one of the most impressive performers in a green shirt in recent years, does Charles feel added responsibility despite still being only 20? He said: “I feel like everyone is starting to feel more responsible, especially now Jonny (Evans) has retired. Us younger lads have got to step up and be more responsible for ourselves and each other. “I feel like we know that and the manager and the coaches know that. It’s really important that we do take responsibility for ourselves.”

The 20-year-old Manchester-born midfielder may not have grown up dreaming about playing at the famous south Belfast stadium, but he relishes every opportunity he gets to appear in front of the vocal home supporters in international fixtures. “The Windsor Park atmosphere really is so, so special,” said the former Manchester City man, who is currently on a season-long loan in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday from Southampton. “The first time I experienced it was while I was with the Under-21 squad and I was sitting in the stands during a game against Lithuania. I felt it, saw it and heard it. It was electric and then to play in it is unbelievable.” Having scored his first senior professional goal earlier this month – netting an injury time winner in a league game against Coventry – Charles now has his sets sight on finding the net in the home of the Green and White Army. He said: “I felt like it was about time that I got my first senior goal and it was a great time to get it as well, scoring the winner in the last minute away from home. I was really happy with that. “Scoring for Northern Ireland at Windsor Park is the next step for me. To do it in front of the fans there would be a dream. If I was to get a goal there in a competitive game it would be amazing.” Having made his debut against Greece in June 2022, Charles had won 19 international caps coming into this Nations League double header against Belarus in Hungary and Bulgaria in Belfast. His transition to international football has been seamless. Indeed he made his name with Northern Ireland before he had played at all for the Man City first team.

IRISHFA.COM

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