Dion Charles said Northern Ireland will learn from the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign's difficult lessons
Northern Ireland striker Dion Charles insists that he and his team-mates are playing for their international futures in the concluding Euro 2024 qualifiers against Finland and Denmark.
The chances of Michael O’Neill’s team reaching the Finals in Germany next year have long since disappeared in what has been a poor campaign, however Friday’s Group H encounter in Helsinki and Monday’s match with the Danes in Belfast are anything but dead rubbers to Bolton ace Charles.
“We may not be able to qualify but we still have something to prove and show the willingness to want to play for Northern Ireland and how much it means to us and there’s the pride of pulling on that shirt,” said Charles.
“It also means a lot to the travelling fans so we will never go with the attitude there is nothing to play for. It will be a good chance to show the character and mentality that we have in this squad.
“For us there are things to play for. At the end of the day it’s your international career. You never know when you will be picked to step on that pitch again so you have to give it your everything.
“You are not guaranteed to play international football and it goes quickly. You always have something to play for when you pull on the jersey.”
Charles netted twice in a 2-0 win in San Marino to open the Euro 2024 campaign before six defeats in seven games for an injury ravaged squad ended any hopes of qualification.
The Bolton ace believes lessons have been learnt which will hopefully help the team have a shot at qualifying for the next campaign.
“That’s the aim,” says Charles.
“The young boys that have come into the squad have racked up quite a
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