WHILE sitting in the Phil O’Donnell stand for the majority of last season, not even Liam Donnelly would have believed it if you told him that just a few short months later, he would be a goalscoring midfielder and turning out for his country.
But after making his return to the Northern Ireland side after a five-year absence in the recent win over Luxembourg at Windsor Park on the back of a storming start to the season at Motherwell, that’s exactly the scenario the 23-year-old finds himself in.
“It was some wait, it was a long time,” Donnelly said.
“It was unbelievable to get back out there. I had played at Windsor Park for my previous club and for the under-21s, but it was special.
“It’s been some turnaround because it was a difficult season last year, but that’s behind me now. I’ve started the season well and long may that continue.
“Of course there were times when I didn’t think the Northern Ireland call-up would come. The boys have been doing so well over the past few years.
“Before I came here I wasn’t playing at the level to get into the squad, but that’s part of the reason why I came here and I’m delighted that I’ve been able to get back in.
“It would be special to be part of a tournament. The fans were amazing at the last Euros, and the atmosphere was amazing at the Germany game too.
“it would be massive if we got there.”
Before he can think about that, Donnelly knows that he has to focus on maintaining his eyebrow-raising start to the campaign at Motherwell.
He goes into today’s game at Hearts with eight goals in eight games so far this term, much to his own surprise.
“I probably didn’t expect it to go as well as it has done, it’s been good so far,” he said.
“The goals have been an added bonus, but I’m focusing on performances. I’ve been enjoying it and hopefully I can keep doing well.
“I can’t say I ever saw myself as a goalscoring midfielder, I’m not going to lie, but it’s nice to get a few.”
Meanwhile, Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson was delighted to complete the signing of the spectacularly-named defender Bevis Mugabi during the week, after he revealed that Charles Dunne picked up an injury in training that will keep him out for at least four weeks.
“Bevis was training with us anyway so to get someone with his experience and the game time he’s had at League One, League Two and international level was lucky,” Robinson said.
“He’s played at a good level. Our scouts have watched him closely and he was out of contract after being over at the African Nations Cup and it was about timing as Yeovil had problems and let a lot of their players go.
“He’s a super boy. What we try and do every time we bring people in is bring the right characters in. He’s got very good attributes. He’s 6’ 3” but he’s very quick, he’s composed on the ball and he’s a good addition.
“He is probably still a little bit away in terms of fitness, but he also has to move Peter Hartley and Declan Gallagher out of the side, because they have been outstanding.”
The only other absentee from the Motherwell squad for the visit to Tynecastle is long-term injury victim David Turnbull, with summer signing Casper Sloth in contention to make his first competitive start for the club.
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