INTERNATIONAL: Trevor Carson keen to build on maiden milestone

The Motherwell goalkeeper was rewarded for his sparkling club form in Scotland with a long-awaited shot at the international stage.

Carson walked off the Windsor park pitch with a win over South Korea to mark the milestone - and a desire to increase his caps collection.

“It was a dream come true to get my first cap and a brilliant experience,” said Carson, who is keen to secure a seat on the plane to Central America for Northern Ireland’s end-of-season tour. “Michael (O’Neill) told me on Monday so I had all week to focus and it was good management.

“It may have been a lot to take in but as the week went on I could concentrate on taking everything from the experience.

“I never felt nervous at any point and wanted to treat it like just another game.

“There was a lot of talk about my debut but I don’t want to be a one-cap wonder and I had a job to do for the team.

“South Korea are so sharp it kept me always on my toes and now I’ve a taste of it I want more.

“Michael McGovern was speaking to me before the game and the first to come straight up afterwards.

“My game is to be on the front foot and try to affect things but Michael advised me to use the experience in front of me of people like Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley.

“South Korea move the ball well and have some top players so I think it was a massive statement from us.

“It was encouraging to know we can still get a lot better.

“It was an added bonus to get the win and Michael stressed how important a match it was off the disappointment of the Switzerland result.

“There is such a feel-good factor around the country and we want to keep that going into the European Championships campaign.

“I went to Scotland and Motherwell to play in top-class games and help prepare me for occasions like this with Northern Ireland.”