Jamie Reid relishes ‘dream’ debut for Northern Ireland in 1-1 draw with Romania

Northern Ireland’s newest goal-scorer Jamie Reid admitted he thought his alternative to play worldwide soccer had gone earlier than he loved a “dream” debut in Friday’s 1-1 pleasant draw with Romania.

At 29 Reid was the oldest participant in Michael O’Neill’s youthful beginning eleven however he grasped his long-awaited likelihood as he put Northern Eire in entrance simply seven minutes in on the Nationwide Enviornment in Bucharest.

“It was an unbelievable begin and a dream debut,” Reid mentioned. “What a approach to ease your method into worldwide soccer by scoring within the first seven minutes. It was unbelievable…

“To be honest I got here into this camp on a little bit of a drought. I hadn’t scored for 5 or 6 video games at my membership so I knew I used to be due a aim and it was timed completely for right here.”

Within the decade since making two appearances for the Northern Eire under-21s, Reid hung out on mortgage at non-league sides Dorchester and Truro earlier than leaving Exeter for Torquay, Mansfield and most just lately Stevenage, the place he has scored 21 targets in 44 appearances this season to catch O’Neill’s eye.

“5 years in the past I used to be taking part in within the Convention South for Torquay and I most likely thought this present day was gone however I bought my head down and labored onerous each time I bought the possibility to play,” Reid added. “I attempted to specific myself and it’s got me to the place I’m now.”

Reid, who’s eligible for Northern Eire by way of his maternal grandmother, first realized he was within the body for a world call-up every week earlier than O’Neill named his squad for this window on March 14, one thing he known as an “unbelievably proud” second for him and his household.

He made probably the most of that chance, with O’Neill shortly impressed by his need to be taught. On Thursday, the supervisor informed Reid he can be beginning towards Romania.

Northern Eire had been on the entrance foot from the beginning in Bucharest because of the youthful power of Conor Bradley, Shea Charles, Isaac Worth and others, and it was Bradley and Worth who mixed to arrange Reid.

“I’ve solely simply been with the squad for the final two days however the emphasis on the short counter assault was clearly what I noticed,” Reid mentioned. “It was a pleasure to play with these guys as a result of they’re good younger gamers and Shea has gone by way of and put it on a plate for me actually.

“I don’t need this to be the tip of my worldwide profession. I need to kick on. It will likely be onerous as a result of there are good gamers right here and good competitors however I’m wanting ahead to it and my subsequent aim is to a part of the following group.”