Northern Ireland sensation Conor Bradley played a vital role in Jamie Reid’s goal against Romania and netted against Scotland
Northern Ireland sensation Conor Bradley played a vital role in Jamie Reid’s goal against Romania and netted against Scotland
Eoin Toal shone for Derry City prior to being snapped up by Bolton Wanderers
Eoin Toal shone for Derry City prior to being snapped up by Bolton Wanderers
Conor Bradley has been exceptional for Northern Ireland recently
Conor Bradley has been exceptional for Northern Ireland recently
Northern Ireland defender Eoin Toal has hailed “brilliant” Liverpool star Conor Bradley, declaring that his close friend’s “fantastic attitude and application” has been key to his incredible run of success.
In a dynamic display, Bradley scored the winning goal against Scotland at Hampden Park for Michael O’Neill’s young braves, continuing his rich vein of form.
Toal, who played alongside the 20-year-old when he was on loan at Bolton Wanderers in the 2022/23 season, has been delighted by the progress of his pal.
The centre-back from Armagh has also been impressing in the current campaign and was excellent in Glasgow as Northern Ireland kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory which followed up another encouraging friendly performance in Bucharest when O’Neill’s side drew 1-1 with Romania.
Bradley’s superbly taken goal at Hampden was the first for his country, coming a couple of months after he netted his opener for Liverpool in a 4-1 Premier League triumph over Chelsea at Anfield.
The Tyrone native has been playing full-back for the Reds. In the international double-header, he showed he was capable of performing at right wing-back, as was the case in Romania, and further forward against the Scots, outlining not just his ability but his adaptability.
Bradley described his first-half strike that beat Steve Clarke’s side as a dream moment. For his Northern Ireland team-mates, it was one to admire.
Bolton centre-back Toal said: “It was a great goal from Conor. He’s brilliant. He has really taken off, hasn’t he? I hope he keeps going and kicks on.”
Having made five first-team appearances for Liverpool in the 2021/22 season, Bradley relished playing week in, week out for Bolton last term, winning a host of awards at the end of it and, over the past three months, he has gone from strength to strength, becoming an important figure in Jurgen Klopp’s treble-chasing side, earning a Carabao Cup winner’s medal and showing his class for Northern Ireland in the March double-header.
Delving deeper into Bradley’s rise, Toal explained: “I think Conor has a fantastic attitude and application. He doesn’t get too high or too low and he keeps his feet on the ground. He is taking everything in his stride and long may this continue for him because he’s a great lad.”
Toal, too, is a genuine guy and has played a crucial role in Northern Ireland’s fine run of form lately. In November’s 2-0 victory over Denmark, which ended a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on a high, the draw in Romania and win in Scotland, just five players started in all those matches — captain Paddy McNair, Trai Hume, Shea Charles, Isaac Price and former Derry City ace Toal, who only made his international senior debut in October last year.
Now with five caps, it was evident in the latest camp that the manager trusts the 25-year-old and the Northern Ireland players rate him.
With the personnel available in his second spell in charge, O’Neill favours a three-man defence supplemented by wing-backs and Toal has delivered in that system, showing composure and character alongside McNair and Daniel Ballard in the morale-boosting victory against the Scots.
“I thought we played really well throughout the game. To get a win away to Scotland who are going to the Euros in the summer was a really positive result,” Toal told Sunday Life Sport.
“I have played with Daniel growing up in various age groups and Paddy the last few games and it is really good playing beside them because they are obviously very experienced.
“I’ve come into the set-up and there’s been a few players missing and in this month’s camp it was great to get another two caps under my belt.
“I’m still learning my way in international football. It’s very different to what I’m doing at my club. We have a young group and with the mix of experience as well it’s been really positive.
“We have another camp in the summer and we will take two good results into that and hopefully continue to do what we have been doing recently.”
Having started his career at hometown team Armagh City, there will be much pride in the Orchard County at how Toal is doing for country and club. Earlier this month, he signed a new contract with Bolton until 2027 which is an indication of their respect for him.
“My family is as proud as punch,” he said.
“I started off playing back home and then to get over to England was a big thing and to get into the international set-up was my aim. I’m delighted to be in the squad. It has been a great experience to win a few caps.”
Expect more to come. Toal is rapidly becoming a player Northern Ireland can rely on.
