Shea Charles says he “could not be happier” with Northern Ireland’s unbeaten Nations League window, with the midfielder describing a “real buzz” around Michael O’Neill’s squad.
Northern Ireland sit top of League B Group 2 and are the only team in this year’s competition not to have conceded a goal during the extended four-game international break. The window opened with a win away to Georgia, followed by a goalless draw with Hungary at Windsor Park. O’Neill’s side then beat Ukraine in emphatic fashion in Trnava before closing with another 0-0 home draw, this time against Georgia.
“I think everyone in the country is buzzing at the moment,” Charles said. “We have that same feeling in the changing room. I am really excited. We will take it game by game, but it’s a real buzz.
“I thought it was a really good window. I think the boys have dealt with it so well. It’s a lot of time to spend with each other. It’s a really good group and we’re top of the group, so I couldn’t be happier.”
The midfielder credited the squad with handling the tighter moments of the window, and backed the home goals to arrive. “There have been some really close moments where the game can go either way,” he said. “I think we have been really professional and really mature in the way we have handled that away from home and I think that has been really good.
“We’ve created a lot of chances at home, probably more tonight than we did against Hungary. On another night they go in, we’ve got some top players up there that are more than capable of scoring goals so I’m sure the goals will come at home.”
The longer window also gave Michael O’Neill the chance to hand game time to up-and-coming players in an already young squad. Liverpool youngster Kieran Morrison made his competitive debut during the window, while centre-backs Ruairi McConville, 21, and Tom Atcheson, 20, also impressed. Ceadach O’Neill was brought on for his fourth cap, a milestone that means he can no longer switch international allegiance.
“More games give more players more opportunities to shine,” Charles added. “I think every player that’s played has shown that they’re more than capable of playing and starting in this team.
“There’s a lot of competition at the moment and it’s really healthy. It’s only going to make us better. We’ve just got to come back and do a good job in November.”
Both Charles brothers started in all four of Northern Ireland’s Nations League games during the window.