Ben Wilson: I’m focused on helping Cliftonville win title, not moving back to England

Ben Wilson has been named NIFWA’s Dream Spanish Homes Player of the Month after scoring six goals for Cliftonville during September

Hotshot Ben Wilson insists he’s more focused on helping Cliftonville win the Irish League title than rushing back to full-time football in England.

The 21-year-old’s impressive early-season form with the Reds has already had the cross-channel scouts sniffing around.

Wilson was snapped up from Brighton and Hove Albion by new Solitude boss Jim Magilton over the summer and has become an instant hit with the Red Army.

His top-rate performances coupled with his goalscoring prowess have not only nudged him into the transfer spotlight but won him the Dream Spanish Homes Player of the Month award, nominated by the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association.

But level-headed Wilson is keen to play down any transfer speculation, stating: “My total focus is on here and now at Cliftonville Football Club. I’m not looking any further down the line or hoping something else turns up.

“I don’t really think like that. I basically take it day by day — the next game is our most important one. If anything happens, it happens.

“I’m just thrilled with the personal award, it’s nice to be recognised, but it’s a reflection on how the team have performed over the last lot of weeks. I couldn’t have got it without my team-mates.

“It’s been brilliant. Six goals over the month, which I was delighted with. To be honest, I don’t really set targets.

“I came back home to play football, that’s really what I wanted to do. Thankfully, the goals have come along with it. I put it down to working hard in training along with the rest of the boys.

“You can’t compare anything to match fitness and that comes with playing games.”

Wi