Charles-Cook chases his European dream

WHEN Regan Charles-Cook watches the highlights of tonight’s European semi-finals, it will also be a chance to catch up on old friends. His former Charlton team-mate Joe Aribo will be in Europa League action with Rangers against RB Leipzig in Germany. Another ex-Addicks colleague, Ademola Lookman, could have been up against Aribo. But the forward is on loan at Leicester and will instead face a Conference League clash at home to Jose Mourinho’s Roma. Now Ross County sensation Charles-Cook is dreaming of a European adventure of his own next season if the Staggies can hold on to fifth place in the Premiership. ‘Charlton has really produced players over the years,’ said the 25-year-old. ‘In our youth team, we had at different stages Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Karlan Grant (West Brom), Joe and Ademola. It was not too bad a team. ‘Joe and I played in the same Under-23s team. He was tall and gangly and he had good feet. It’s not surprised me where he has got to in his career. We were very close and we still talk now and then. But I want to get to where those guys have got to. It spurs me on. ‘It’s been a dream season for me. But it’s not a finished dream until Ross County get into Europe. That is our big plan.’ Last summer, Charles-Cook had to Google Ross County. Now clubs north and south of the border are Googling the name of the man who tops the Premiership scoring charts with 13 goals. His fine form saw Charles-Cook yesterday voted on the four-man shortlist for PFA Scotland’s Player of the Year. He said: ‘It’s been a collective effort. All the staff and players at Ross County have believed in me and that has pushed me on.’