Conor Bradley says what Michael O'Neill's young Northern Ireland must do now

Liverpool star Conor Bradley captained Northern Ireland in their 5-0 walloping of Bulgaria and their side had an average age of just 22 years and seven months

Conor Bradley feels Michael O’Neill’s young Northern Ireland side are beginning to realise their potential.

Northern Ireland walloped Bulgaria 5-0 at Windsor Park to move top of Nations League Group C3 and their side, captained by Bradley, had an average age of just over 22 years and seven months. The Irish have won five of their last nine games, following their disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, and Bradley can see real progress after the hiccup of Saturday’s frustrating draw with Belarus.

“I think we’ll take a lot of confidence from this because it’s been a tough few games for us, not scoring enough goals and not winning games we should be,” said the Liverpool defender. “It’s been tough. That’s part of the learning experience for international football.

“We know we’re a young team. There is potential there and we’ve just got to fulfil that potential and keep on putting in performances like this. I think we’re progressing in every game we play together. The connections are gelling and it’s just going really well.

“It’s not long until we’re back together and we have to make sure we secure top spot in the group.” Isaac Price scored Northern Ireland’s first hat-trick in 17 years against Bulgaria and the team was littered with star performances from Dion Charles to Brodie Spencer and Shay Charles to Trai Hume.

“Yeah, that’s what you want and now we just need the boys to try and keep doing it consistently because I see in training every day how good they are, Isaac, especially scoring goals like that in training,” said Bradley. “Shay as well and Shay’s an unbelievable footballer so we’re lucky to have him. Now it’s just about doing it consistently.”

Bradley, 21, claimed it was a proud moment captaining the side at Windsor Park in front of his mum and sister and says he would love to carry on as skipper, although he knows that is a decision for O’Neill. “I’ve loved the experience,” he said. “It’s been one of the biggest honours of my life to captain my country.

“It’s a privilege. It felt really special walking out as captain. It was very surreal. Sometimes I’d just look at my arm and see the armband and it didn’t feel real. I’m just really happy, I’m really happy for the boys. It was a special night.

“I’ve loved it and obviously I’ll leave it down to Michael to see who he sees fit to be the captain long term.”

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