‘That’s a great statement’ – World Cup hero draws fresh faith from Northern Ireland player's confidence despite Italy disappointment
Shea Charles followed his command of an international midfield against rivals from Italian club giants Inter Milan and Juventus – plus Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali – with post-match confidence as the Northern Ireland ace declared “I’ll back myself against anyone”.
Charles’ energy, ambition and athleticism in the Bergamo engine-room served as a stand-out display in Northern Ireland’s against-the-odds World Cup semi-final play-off dream-turned-disappointment.
The 2-0 reverse which killed hopes of a first return to the World Cup finals summer global showpiece since 1986 featured Tonali on the scoresheet before Moise Kean cemented progress for Italy.
Charles summed up the frustration of a nation during his post-match BBC Sport Northern Ireland interview by highlighting “obviously it was a disappointment” but the 22-year-old also offered collective hope and individual heart.
It was a message of positivity around future progress that Gerry Armstrong – one of the heroes of the 1982 World Cup finals – relished.
When asked about going head-to-head against players of Tonali’s stature, Charles exclaimed: “I’ll back myself against anyone...I thought I had a good game tonight.
"Obviously in the end he (Tonali) scored the winner, but we're all growing together.
"We've got another game on Tuesday (away to Wales in a friendly) and it's just another chance to prove ourselves and then push on to the Nations League in September.”
Armstrong, speaking as a BBC Sport NI pundit, responded to Charles’ interview: “That's a great statement – ‘I'll back myself against anyone’.
"That's what you want, if you want to win games you have to have that belief.
"Tonight he was magnificent, he played brilliant.
"The team give you everything, but they're only going to get better.
"I love that statement.”
Charles added: “I thought we played well...(we) just hold our heads high.
“We're still a young team, we've got a long way to go...it's just about how we bounce back now.
"I think we just needed a bit more composure in that little bit where they got on top.
"We made a couple of mistakes and then the crowd got up and (we) conceded quite quick (for 2-0).
"I think just being able to survive those little periods in the game, it's all to play for.
"I'm proud of the boys, we played a good game, we had a few chances.”