Shea Charles on Northern Ireland’s Confidence Boost Against Denmark

Midfielder Shea Charles credits Northern Ireland’s recent 2-0 victory over Denmark in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign finale for boosting the squad’s confidence.

The victory marked a positive end to what had been a somewhat disappointing campaign for Michael O’Neill’s side, with their sole previous win occurring in their campaign opener against San Marino.

Looking ahead, Northern Ireland is gearing up for forthcoming friendlies against Romania and Scotland, which Charles views as crucial opportunities to gauge the team’s progress. “It will be good to see where we are at as a team,” he expressed to BBC Sport NI, emphasizing the importance of approaching these matches as competitive fixtures against formidable opponents.

The upcoming clashes with Romania in Bucharest and Scotland in Glasgow serve as platforms for Northern Ireland to build upon their recent success and continue their development. 

Shea Charles Shines Bright

Shea Charles is considered one of the team’s budding talents despite being just 20 years old and having already earned 13 caps. With Southampton now sitting in fourth position in the Championship as they look to advance to the Premier League, his summertime move from Manchester City to Southampton has proven successful.

Reflecting on his experience, Charles remarked, “All is good at the moment at Southampton.” He highlighted the team’s strong performance and his personal comfort and stability in the south of England.

Joining Charles in the national team setup is Eoin Toal, the Bolton Wanderers central defender who recently made his senior international debut. Toal, now keen on cementing his place in O’Neill’s squad, expressed his delight at breaking into the national team and his desire to accumulate more caps in the future.

As Northern Ireland braces for challenging encounters against Romania and Scotland, both Charles and Toal are optimistic about their prospects. With their eyes set on positive results, they aim to contribute to the team’s ongoing journey of growth and success on the international stage.