SHAYNE Lavery wants to be the man to shoot Northern Ireland to Nations League glory against Luxembourg and Bulgaria this week.
The 25-year-old Cambridge United striker returned to the international fold after seeing his last season blighted by injuries.
Lavery scored six goals in 36 appearances for Blackpool in League One, but was not offered a new deal when his contract expired in June.
Garry Monk swooped to sign the Aghagallon man on a two-year deal and Lavery scored twice against his former club in a thrilling 4-4 draw last weekend.
Now he turns his attention to the international scene and two games in a competition that Northern Ireland have fared poorly in since its inception in September 2018.
A perennial problem Michael O’Neill has faced – on top of a raft of senior players retiring – is Northern Ireland’s traditional achilles heel; scoring goals.
Lavery made his international debut in 2018 and he has scored three goals in his 19 appearances to date.
He says he is looking forward to being part of this new-look team and says his aim is to be the goal-getter O’Neill craves this week.
“I would like to be”, said the former Linfield striker.
“I can just go off how I am feeling this season and how I have been doing. I feel fit and sharp.
“I did a lot of work over the summer to make sure I was in condition to hopefully have an injury-free season.
“Hopefully I can carry that on, starting with Thursday night.
“Confidence is a big thing. If you are hitting the back of the net and feeling good in games, then you feel good.
“Northern Ireland can also give you a good feel when you come away.
“You might not be doing well at club level, but you feel different with Northern Ireland, so it can be good coming away to play for your country.
“I think the team is very exciting.
“You look at players coming through like Conor Bradley and Shea Charles, they have been around for a while now so it is an exciting time for Northern Ireland and I feel we are ready to take the next step.
“Hopefully we can get a few wins in these Nation League games.
“We would love to win both games. That’s what we want.
“We have lost a good few players but hopefully this is the next step for players coming through.
“Hopefully we can pick up wins and drive forward to the World Cup qualifiers.”
Lavery’s career began at Glenavon, he was quickly snapped up by Everton and spent some time on loan with Falkirk before returning home to sign for Linfield in 2019.
He sparkled under David Healy, particularly in Europe, where his two-goal salvo against Qarabag brought the Blues to the brink of group stage qualification in the Europa League.
Lavery signed a two-year deal with the option of another year with Blackpool and that third year proved challenging due to injuries.
But the flame-haired striker insists he is loving life at Cambridge and is delighted to be back playing on his old stomping ground on Thursday night.
“I love being back”, beamed the Co Armagh man. “I’m really excited to be back at Windsor on Thursday as well.
“I think being at Linfield adds something more special. I had a great time at Linfield.
“Anyone mentions Windsor, you just think of the great atmosphere it creates, and we are all looking forward to that on Thursday. Hopefully the place will be bouncing.
“It feels like it’s been a while so I am looking forward to it.
“The past year was tough, especially at the start of the season. It felt like a big year for me.
“I was out of contract and stuff, and things were coming to an end at Blackpool. So the injuries hurt a little bit more.
“But I am loving the past few months since I arrived at Cambridge. It feels like a fresh start and everyone has been great with me. It’s a great club to be at.
“I had some chats with Garry Monk in the summer. I spoke with different managers but there was something different about Garry.
“I felt I wanted to speak with him more and things developed. That was a big thing for me, talking to him and seeing what he thought I could do for the club.
“So he was a big reason why I signed for Cambridge.”
Lavery still keeps a close eye on affairs back home in the Irish League and was keen to congratulate Larne on their success in Europe, while revealing where his allegiances still lay.
“It is unbelievable. I wish it was Linfield!”, he smiles.
“But take nothing away from Larne, they were brilliant. I watched the game and (Andy) Ryan getting the hat-trick.
“It can only be good for the Irish League and hopefully a few more clubs can qualify in the future.
“I remember going to Larne when I was at Linfield and it was a tough place to go to.
“Larne are a good side and will be tough to beat. Hopefully they do well in the group games.
“It is a great achievement getting there.”
