Conor Bradley is relishing the opportunity to lead Northern Ireland in front of a big home crowd at Windsor Park against Bulgaria on Tuesday night revealing a key role model for him as captain is Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk.
The 21-year-old from Tyrone was honoured to skipper his country for the first time in Saturday’s scoreless Nations League fixture versus Belarus in a behind closed doors match in Hungary but believes with thousands of fans inside the national stadium in Belfast, having the armband once again will be even more special.
Bradley’s mum and sister will be at Windsor for the game and he is hoping the team deliver a crucial win to jump above Bulgaria in the table and possibly go top depending on how the result between Belarus and Luxembourg goes on Tuesday evening.
On being captain at Windsor, Bradley said: “I think probably it will be a bit more special doing it at home with all the crowd there. It was just a surreal experience with the armband on (against Belarus) and I’m looking forward to doing it again.
“I was probably quiet trying to lead by example. I didn’t want to change anything I’ve been doing to get into this position.
“I was doing a lot of the same stuff, to try to help the boys in whatever way I can. I don’t change it too much, I keep it pretty similar.”
As well as being backed by the Green and White Army, Bradley will have family support in the ground.
“My mum and sister will be coming up. I’m really looking forward to seeing them. Hopefully they will enjoy it and hopefully we can get the win for them.”
Bradley said he viewed Dutchman Van Dijk as a role model from a captaincy perspective.
“My captain at the club Virgil is quite a role model with the way he conducts himself every day,” stated the Northern Ireland star.
“In training every day he is always one of the best players and that’s someone I aspire to be in how he conducts himself every day and how he leads by example. He would probably be one of the main role models for me.”
Asked if being skipper for his country will benefit him at club level, Bradley said: “I think it can only help me. Obviously it was something new for me captaining a first-team team. It can only help me and it’s a good experience for me.”
Now a Northern Ireland senior player for over three years and winning his 21st cap in the match with Bulgaria, it’s interesting to discover what the former Dungannon United Youth player has learnt from playing international football?
“That it’s very difficult,” was his instant and honest answer in Monday’s press conference at Windsor.
“There are a lot of tough teams out there and it’s hard to beat teams and you always have to be ready for the game and it’s always going to be a difficult challenge.
“I really enjoy the challenge and playing different types of teams and different opponents and learning if they are a low block how we get past that or if they are pressing us high how we can play through that?”
He clearly likes the tactical side of the game.
“I do enjoy it,” added Bradley who has played in a number of positions for O’Neill, scoring three goals to date.
“I do enjoy learning different ways to play and different shapes to play. I do take real interest in that and have learnt a lot of Michael as well in different ways how to help my game like different ways to play the right wing-back position and also if I play right wing or in the 10.
“For the right wing-back what runner to pick so if the sticker comes to feet maybe play him or play the wide 10 running in behind and things like that. I have learnt a lot.
“Obviously in the 10 position as well he’s helped me learn to play a new position and I’ve really enjoyed it.”