The Southampton midfielder can’t wait to get another crack at Germany
Shea Charles believes Monday night’s World Cup qualifier with Germany is “one of the biggest” of his international career given what’s at stake.
Northern Ireland sit tied on six points with the Germans and Slovakia at the top of Group A at the halfway point in qualification.
A positive result against Julian Nagelsmann’s side would put the Green and White Army in a strong position with two games to go and Charles can’t wait.
“I think it probably is one of the biggest games for me so far. It’s such a big opposition. Obviously, with the chance that we’ve got, we’re all at six points at the moment, so it’s all to play for,” he said.
“I can’t wait. Obviously, we all know it’s a massive game, so I’m looking forward to that.
“We beat Denmark here, but I think Germany are kind of next level. We’re both in a good position in the group, so I think it will be a good game. We’re all very excited.”
Nagelsmann came out with some pretty disparaging remarks about Northern Ireland’s performance in Cologne last month accusing them of constantly playing long balls which Charles disagreed with.
He said: “You can complain about that, but I don’t really see the point. Everyone plays different types of football. If it’s not pretty, then so what?
“We’ve always got a game plan. We’re not just hitting and hoping. We never do that. We’ve got way too much quality to just do that. There’s always a method behind what we’re doing.”
Unfortunately Northern Ireland will be without the influential Conor Bradley for the Windsor Park showdown, but Charles feels Brodie Spencer is equipped to step into the void.
“Yeah, it’s disappointing as Conor does so much for us, both going forward and defensively. It is a bit of a blow,” he said.
“However, we know we’ve got players to go in and fill in. Brodie was really good when he came on against Slovakia.
“He was only on and ran like 80 yards all the way to the pitch. He can do that, he’s got a massive tank. He’s not really been on the right too much.
“He’s obviously played on the left, so I think it will suit him a lot playing back on the right. I look forward to seeing how he does.”
Charles netted in the win away in Luxembourg and also scored against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, and he is hoping to add a few more goals and assists going forward.
“I think that’s one part of my game that I’ve always wanted to improve. I scored one goal last year, I could have scored more, and only for that to be my first one out in Luxembourg,” he said.
“I had some great chances before that, so I definitely want to score more goals, get more assists going forward.
“We have a good mix in midfield. Ali’s so good, breaking up play, finding passes forward. He’s always speaking to me as well, so that’s really good, he’s a real leader.
“Him and Sav, whenever I play with any of them, they help me so much. It was a great performance tonight from Ali, he’s just so consistent, it’s incredible.”
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