Danny Amos loving life at Doncaster Rovers

Northern Ireland U21 international Amos came off the bench with 10 minutes to go at Ewood Park as the League One outfit dispatched of their Championship opponents.

They currently sit in the play-off positions ahead of an away clash with Swindon Town and this season has the potential to be a special one for Amos, who has made eight appearances in all competitions so far under manager Darren Moore.

“We were absolutely buzzing to get the win (against Blackburn),” he reflected.

“We came into the game as underdogs and the bench was very young and inexperienced.

“I think we deserved to get the win and it’s fantastic to start the year off like that.

“It’s just what the club wanted and in the game before we had lost to Shrewsbury so getting back on track with a cup win away to Blackburn was fantastic.

“We have a trip now to the London Stadium in the next round so we are all really looking forward to that.

“It’s every lad’s dream to go and play at a Premier League stadium and we have a chance now to go and show that we can compete with the best teams up there as well as in League One.”

The reward for the winner of next weekend’s tie will be a trip to either Liverpool or Manchester United and the 21-year-old admits that will provide even more motivation for the Doncaster squad.

“That’s in the back of people’s minds now,” he added.

“I think that’s something that could make you strive even more and give you even more motivation to put in everything at West Ham.

“If you get through the next game you’re playing one of the best teams in Europe so it would be a great experience for us.”

Amos’ first taste of international youth football came with a call-up to the Northern Ireland U19 squad for a European Championship qualifier against Poland in October 2017, where he scored on his debut in a 2-1 defeat before turning out for the U21 side four times last year.

Born in Sheffield, the defender qualifies for selection through his mother and many of his family members still live in Belfast.

“I’ve absolutely loved every minute of it,” he said.

“The lads are brilliant and I knew John Schofield, who is the assistant manager, from my time with Doncaster.

“It’s just such a great place to be in terms of the standard and the players.

“There is such a good vibe and energy around the place and I think that’s why we picked up the results we did.

“We got a good result in the first game against Ukraine and I’ve loved being a part of it.

“The first time I went with the U21’s we played Slovakia at home in the last qualifying game and I got to see my auntie, uncle and two cousins for the first time in about 10 years.

“For them to see me warm up and things like that was brilliant. Doing my family proud is important and I’ve loved every minute.”

Amos briefly got to work with Ian Baraclough during his time in the U21 set-up and he believes having the 50-year-old in charge helps to further create a pathway into the senior ranks.

“He’s a great manager, is so experienced and helped me out a lot,” he added.

“That gave me the confidence to believe in what I could do and he has helped me out massively in my career so far.

“Before this campaign started we had the likes of Jordan Thompson, Paul Smyth and Liam Donnelly who were a really talented group.

“There were five or six players that went on to the seniors and this year we had a young group with 17-18-year-old’s around who are very capable.

“There is a great future for the U21’s and for the senior side.

“The main thing is that with Ian Baraclough being senior manager means there is a great pathway through to the seniors and the likes of Ethan Galbraith and Alfie McCalmont have made the step up. It’s about following in their footsteps and keep pushing.

“It (senior international football) has been a dream since I started playing football at a good level and believing in my ability.

“When I first got the call up to the U19’s I thought this was something else and a different level.

“My mum, auntie and nana are proud and it’s something you dream of growing up. It has been a brilliant experience for me and my family as well.”

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