Latest news with #CallumMarshall
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
O'Neill 'desperate' for NI players to reach top flight
"Game time is a challenge. It's always been a little bit of a challenge for Northern Ireland squads."Since Michael O'Neill's return as Northern Ireland manager in 2022, when he inherited a much younger squad than the one he had taken to Euro 2016 during his first stint, he has consistently stressed the need for his players to be playing as often as possible at as high a level as such, the final weekend of the domestic seasons in England and Scotland could prove important for his international the likes of Callum Marshall, Jamie Donley and Dale Taylor are on the books of Premier League teams, with that trio having spent the season on loan in League One, just two players in O'Neill's 26-man squad for friendlies against Denmark and Iceland next month featured in England's top tier this season. Liverpool's Conor Bradley picked up a Premier League winners' medal, with Crystal Palace's Justin Devenny doing likewise in the FA citing the challenging experience of facing Alexander Isak in defeat by Sweden in March, O'Neill knows regular exposure to such talents would be hugely beneficial. "In the past, we would have had more players playing their club football at a higher level," he said."If you look back to the team that went to the Euros, there was probably maybe as many as six, seven, eight players playing at Premier League level and had played at that level for quite a number of years, most of their career, if not all of their career."This group are not there yet, let's be honest, and they're playing their club football at a slightly lower level." That could change for two of his panel on Saturday with key defenders Dan Ballard and Trai Hume involved in the Championship play-off for Sunderland against Sheffield United at came through the ranks at Arsenal but did not feature for the club before moving to the Stadium of Light in 2022, while Trai Hume took a different path to the Black Cats, playing more than 50 games in the Irish League. O'Neill said he is "desperate" for Sunderland to achieve promotion, believing the pair are capable of playing Premier League football."I think sometimes we maybe underestimate our players in that situation. I do believe they are," he said of their ability to step up a division. "There would be a lot of clubs aware of how consistent they have been in the Championship, and we have seen other players step up from the Championship and do well in the Premier League, but it is a challenge. "Sometimes I think you are better going up with a team than being bought into a club. If you go up in that situation, as Sunderland may do, then you are already well-established at the club and they are first-choice players, which is important as well."That game will not be the only one for O'Neill to monitor with Ethan Galbraith and on-loan Tottenham forward Jamie Donley set to feature in the League One play-off final for Leyton Orient on Hale's penalty for Ross County also ensured his side will go into the second leg of their Scottish Premiership play-off with Livingston on Monday with the scores level. The two most experienced players in Northern Ireland's squad for next month's games are the 30-year-old Paddy McNair, now playing for San Diego FC, and George Saville, 31, of Millwall. In what is a young squad, but one that has been on an upward trajectory with Nations League promotion secured in November, O'Neill feels his players are at similar points in their international and club careers."I do think that the squad is progressing in two ways, it can progress when it comes in and works together as a squad and they can progress when they go back to their clubs," he said. "I think that this squad is still probably a few years away from really where it needs to be in terms of where the players will be in their club situations and also where they will be in their international careers."But I think that for us to progress and take steps forward as a nation, this group of players will be together for a long time and hopefully they can emulate some of the achievements of that previous group."
New York Times
04-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Callum Marshall is thriving at Huddersfield. What are his West Ham hopes?
The Huddersfield Town faithful were serenading Callum Marshall to the theme of Papa's Got a Brand New Pigbag as they celebrated an away victory over Stevenage at the weekend. 'Do, do, do, do… Callum Marshall…' The 20-year-old forward, who is on a season-long loan from West Ham United, is a firm fan favourite at the John Smith's Stadium. He has endeared himself to supporters with his tenacious work rate. Marshall was applauded off the field at Stevenage, having registered his ninth goal of the season. The Northern Ireland international could have had his first senior hat-trick in the 2-1 win. Advertisement Marshall is playing a key role in Huddersfield's push for promotion from League One. Following their victory, they are fifth on 58 points, six adrift of second-placed Wycombe Wanderers. Marshall, who scored in back-to-back league games, has earned the trust of manager Michael Duff and remains an ever-present member of the team. 'The main thing was to come here, have an impact and gain experience,' Marshall tells The Athletic. 'If we can gain promotion, it would be great for the club and for me to experience so early in my career. Hopefully we can push for that. Over the last six months, I've learnt a different style of play, what it takes to play in League One and that it's not all pretty. 'It's been about trying to bounce back from setbacks and knowing not every week it's going to be 10 out of 10. A lot of it is hard work, graft and trying to make the most out of moments. It's been great, I've settled in well and I get on with the lads, especially Dion Charles, Brodie Spencer and Nigel Lonwijk.' Marshall joined West Ham from Northern Irish club Linfield in January 2022. At West Ham, he was a regular for the under-18s and under-21s and impressed under academy coaches Kevin Keen and Mark Robson. Marshall, a member of the FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2023, made his first-team debut against Bristol City in January 2024. That month, he signed a contract extension until 2027 and joined West Bromwich Albion on loan. The forward had interest from 10 clubs before joining the Championship side. Ian Pearce, the former West Ham defender and West Brom's head of recruitment, outlined how Marshall would improve in the second tier. But the forward only made three appearances during his brief sojourn and was recalled by West Ham in April. 'The loan at West Brom didn't work out,' says Marshall. 'I probably won't know the true benefit of experiencing something like that until I'm older. I was 19 and I wanted to play and sometimes these things happen. I don't blame anyone; it's football. But I knew that coming here, I needed to show I can play in men's football. Advertisement 'I'm happy that it's gone well and hopefully I can score more goals before the season ends. I just want to use this loan spell to push on for when I go back to West Ham this summer. There's a new manager (Graham Potter) and hopefully he'll get a good look at me and see what he thinks.' Marshall has reason to be optimistic. Potter has already given first-team opportunities to Ollie Scarles and Lewis Orford. And he is not the only West Ham head coach to hand out chances this season. Young defender Kaelan Casey was a late substitute against Bournemouth in December under the previous manager Julen Lopetegui. Under-21s defender Ezra Mayers was an unused substitute in the 5-2 home loss to Arsenal. Potter and his backroom staff have attended academy games and there is optimism from within that more youngsters could break through. 'Everything is up for grabs so it's about me going back and making a good impression,' says Marshall. 'There are opportunities for young players at the club now. West Ham have a good record at bringing youngsters through. (David) Moyes gave me my debut and I'm thankful for that. When I go back, hopefully I can make more appearances. 'In pre-season, I was mainly hanging around with the academy players but Danny Ings and Aaron Cresswell took me under their wings. They were really helpful with advice and it's great they can offer that support. But it was nice being part of the first team environment, which has served me well for this loan.' Gerard Prenderville, the under-21s assistant coach, attended last Saturday's game. Since joining Huddersfield last summer, various academy coaches have remained in touch with Marshall. That also applies to youngsters George Earthy, Freddie Potts, Gideon Kodua, Michael Forbes and Patrick Kelly, all of whom are on loan at EFL clubs. A loan to a Championship club could be the next step in Marshall's development. A case in point is Potts, who was named Wycombe's player of the year during his spell last season. The midfielder is now thriving in the second tier at Portsmouth. Marshall is growing in confidence and his mindset is admirable for someone so young. 'Gerard Prenderville, Kevin Keen, Carlton Cole (the loan manager and ex-West Ham striker) and Mark Noble (the sporting director) all check up on me to make sure that everything is fine on my end,' says Marshall. 'I want to make them and my family proud. Advertisement 'I came over from Belfast when I was 17. I didn't think it was ideal being away from home, but I knew, if I want to do this, it's a sacrifice I have to make. I've given it my all because I want to make it work. 'I don't want to be one of those players who goes back to Belfast at 20 and feels like they wasted their chance. I'm determined to make a career for myself here.'
