Evans relishing every opportunity he gets on international stage
LEICESTER City’s Northern Ireland talisman Jonny Evans is treating every international appearance as if it’s his last. The 32-year-old Foxes star has learned to “cherish” the big moments in his career, knowing how short a time players get representing their country.
Evans was just a teenager when he was part of an incredible victory over Spain at Windsor Park 14 years ago.
He was then part of a Northern Ireland side that went agonisingly close to qualifying for Euro 2008, before eventually reaching the finals in 2016 and playing a key role in France when they made it through to the knockout stages.
Then, two years later, he suffered disappointment as they just missed out on making the World Cup Finals in Russia.
Now Evans and his international team-mates have another chance to write themselves into his country’s history books after a penalty shootout victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo to reach the finals of the Euro play-offs.
If they can beat Slovakia on November 12 at Windsor Park, Evans and his team-mates will once again be mixing it with the best in European football.
“When you’re younger you maybe don’t take it in the same way,” said centre-back Evans, speaking after the win over Bosnia.
“My debut was against Spain and that was a big night and a big win. I just thought that was the norm, beating teams like that! I had another couple of big results since then but maybe in the last number of years you do cherish it.
“Sometimes you doubt if you’re going to get to experience moments like that again. Even going into the Bosnia game, you don’t know how it’s going to work out but coming off the pitch at the end and having the feeling we had and the celebrations, it’s really, really nice.”
Evans was missed in the opening two Nations League games against Romania and Norway last month and, even though Northern Ireland are scheduled to play three games in seven days during this international window, he’s happy to be considered for selection - even when he has big Premier League games with Leicester on the horizon.
“This is a scenario we’ve probably never faced at international level but I think after lockdown, when the Premier League opened up, we were used to playing games thick and fast, and not much recovery time.
“I think all of the lads have experienced that and know how to handle it. It depends on what the manager wants to do in terms of the team and the personnel but I think most of us are available.
“I missed a few games so I feel like I’m playing a bit of catch-up and I want to make sure I’m involved in as many games as possible.
“The Play-Off Final is a big deal for us, we’ve put ourselves in a great position,” he said.
“I think any competitive game for your country you want to impose yourself. You want to represent your country and I think I’ve learned over the years that if you’re not fully focused you can lose games or come away really disappointed.
“Those moments are gone for the rest of your life and your international career is short. Your family remembers every moment in a Northern Ireland shirt and you want to make the most of every moment.”