Lewis hungry to soak up more knowledge from his team-mates
JAMAL Lewis was making his first appearance at international level. Beside him in defence there were three men who between them have played a whopping 255 times for Northern Ireland.
No wonder then the 20-yearold Norwich City left-back loved starting alongside Aaron Hughes (110 caps), Gareth McAuley (77) and Jonny Evans (68) in Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win over South Korea at Windsor Park.
The youngster can feel content with his debut performance against the slick Red Devils.
The Luton-born defender, who qualifies for Northern Ireland through his Belfast mum Catriona, said he felt honoured to play in the match, especially with players like Evans, McAuley and Hughes helping him out.
“It was amazing to train with them, put on the shirt and then play beside them. It was a huge honour,” he said.
“I’ve obviously seen them play in the Premier League so I’ve tried to pick their brains and learn from playing beside them, just how they communicate and play. It is a level I’m trying to get to in my own career.”
The Windsor Park experience has given Lewis hunger for more. He hopes to be selected for the summer tour to Panama and Costa Rica and to become a regular in the squad.
“The aim is to get as many caps as possible from here on in,” he says.
“We want to try and get as many wins as we can before the Nations League. We have a lot of games coming up in the next couple of years or so.
“The big aim is the Euro 2020 campaign, so it would be great to be involved in that and hopefully we can qualify for the Euros again and create more memories for the fans and country.”
On facing Son Heung-min, he added: “We knew he was going to be one of their star men and they’d try to get him on the ball as much possible and he obviously showed glimpses of quality, but we played him quite well and got the win which was the important thing.” THE little man does like to make a big impact.
Within eight months Paul Smyth has moved from Linfield to Queens Park Rangers, scored on his debut for the Championship side and then repeated the trick in his first senior international appearance.
He must spend all day doing cartwheels and somersaults around the house.
But the most exciting part of the Paul Smyth story is the fact he is only 20-years-old.
The magic is only just beginning.
And he’s living his dream thanks to sheer hard work and ambition.
He’s now an inspiration to other Irish League players such as his Under-21 team-mate, Crusaders winger Gavin Whyte, who can see clearly this is the reward for continued progression.
There has been talk of interest in the winger from Republic of Ireland and why wouldn’t there be as this rising star would be an asset to any international side.
But Smyth said afterwards he was committed to Northern Ireland and that will be a massive relief to the Green and White Army.
Boss Michael O’Neill (below) always knew the potential was there.
He invited Smyth to join the squad for training at the Euro 2016 finals but this goal on his senior debut will lift his confidence to a new level.
After the Windsor winner against South Korea, his infectious enthusiasm for the game has just gone up a notch.
Humble as always, however, he will still board the tube to Queens Park Rangers and shun the fancy cars.
The boy is going places, possibly all the way to the Premier League and you can be sure he will give it his best shot.
From his 82nd minute substitution it took him only four minutes to have the fans on their feet singing his name.
He also had a special word of thanks to Linfield and their supporters who have encouraged him every step of his exciting journey.
“Linfield and the fans have always pushed me on to do well and I’m just delighted I got a goal for them as well at the Kop Stand and for all the Northern Ireland fans,” said Smyth, the man with the broadest smile at Windsor Park.
“I was just glad the chance came to me and I was able to take it.”
So what is his advice to Irish Lague aces Gavin Whyte, Mark Sykes, Bobby Burns and Jamie McGonigle who are also chasing professional dreams?
“Work hard and listen to the people around you,” added the Belfast man. “They have the experience and know what it takes.
“I listened to my Linfield manager David Healy and now my current manager Ian Holloway and they N IRELAND: Carson, McAuley, J Evans (Cathcart, 68 mins), Jones (Smyth, 82 mins), Lewis, C Evans (Boyce, 62 mins), Saville, Norwood (McNair, 71 mins), Hughes (McLaughlin, 18 mins), Ward (Washington, 62 mins), Magennis. Unused subs: McGovern, Ferguson, Hodson, Lavery, Hazard.
SOUTH KOREA: Seunggyu Kim, Minjae Kim (Minwoo Kim, 36 mins), Jinsu Kim, Yong Lee, Hyunsoo Jang, Sungyueng Ki
have pushed me to go as high as I can. Hopefully that is to the Premier League. (Wooyoung Jung, 68 mins), Jooho Park (Changmin Lee, 68 mins), Changhoon Kwon (Heechan Hwang, 62 mins), Jaesung Lee, Heungmin Son (Kihun Yeom, 75 mins), Shinwook Kim. Unused subs: Jinhyeon Kim, Hyeonwoo Jo, Jeongho Hong, Chulsoon Choi, Youngsun Yun, Jacheol Koo, Keunho Lee.
Referee: Bobby Madden (Scotland)
Man of match: George Saville
Match rating: 7/10
“Work hard and listen to those who want you to fulfil your potential.”