Soccer

Chris is prepared to bear the Brunt of versatility for North

Chris Brunt in action against Hungary for the North  
Chris Brunt in action against Hungary for the North   Chris Brunt in action against Hungary for the North  

LEFT-BACK isn’t a problem for Chris Brunt – being left out would be the concern.

There’s little danger of him missing out on Northern Ireland’s Euro 2016 squad though, barring injury, and he’s able to joke about the backwards progression of his career.

“I think I’ve played everywhere for Northern Ireland, apart from striker, so it’s been a long road. I keep getting dropped back, so maybe the next stop will be the stand or the subs’ bench," he jokes.

“Wherever you play internationally or in club football, you try to do the job to the best of your ability and hopefully I’ve done that. Obviously, Michael [O'Neill] keeps picking me at left-back, so I must be doing alright.”

As he says himself, Brunt is better known as an attacking player and still wears number 11 at international level. His first go at left-back didn’t work out well, getting himself sent-off in the 4-2 home defeat by Portugal two years ago. However, he insists that wasn’t a worrying memory when manager Michael O’Neill asked him to play left-back in the first match of the Euro qualifying campaign in Budapest.

“It didn’t cross my mind. You obviously don’t go out to try and get sent-off. It was just one of those things," he said.

“Michael asked me if I could do a job there against Hungary. I knew I had experienced boys inside me in Aaron [Hughes] and Gareth [McAuley] and you just get on with it. Things have gone alright since then and we’ve always had a pretty settled back four. Even with Jonny [Evans] missing out, Craig [Cathcart] stepped in and did really well on Thursday night and scored in Finland.

“We’ve also got Aaron, who unfortunately missed out through injury, but he’s travelled all the way from Melbourne to support us, which just shows you how much quality and experience we have in defence.

“That makes a massive difference, particularly at this level because teams are really good and you’re playing against the best players from the best countries, so it hammers home how big an achievement this is for the country.”

Brunt might well have questioned the squad camaraderie on Sunday night against Finland, as two well-struck shots were deflected for goalkicks by team-mates.

“Everyone was trying their best for me not to score,” he recalled with a smile.

“I think ‘Big G’ [McAuley] especially because the one that hit Bairdy was probably going wide. I struck the first one well, so it’s disappointing, but goals aren’t what my game has been about, as you can tell from my record.”

His move to left-back has even extended to club level with West Bromwich Albion, a team that almost provides the NI back line given that he and McAuley have been joined at the Hawthorns by Jonny Evans.

“It’s just great to be involved and playing. I’ve enjoyed playing at left-back during this campaign since I had to step in for the opening qualifier in Hungary. It’s kind of strange that I haven’t got to play anywhere else all season,” he added.

The left midfield/wing slot that Brunt often filled for Northern Ireland has been taken over by Leeds winger Stuart Dallas, but the 30-year-old has welcomed that addition: “Having lads like Stuarty in front of you and seeing him do so well is fantastic. It’s also great to see the younger lads coming into the squad.

“They don’t realise how lucky they probably are to have achieved this. It’s Stuart’s first campaign and he’s going to the Euro finals and that’s just one example in the squad we have. There are other lads who probably didn’t expect to do this.”

Brunt perhaps didn’t expect it either, but is relishing the reward: “For all the years I’ve experienced with Northern Ireland, it’s great to have something special to take out of it. It gives us something to look forward to in the summer.

“We’ve got to go back to our clubs now and forget about the finals. That’s football. As players, we’ll have a lot of other things to concentrate on, but I’m sure the country will be very excited for the next six months. I think you saw against the Greece the emotions and what it means to the fans, but the lads have worked really hard over the campaign with Michael and staff to make sure we get results.

“Over the 10 games, we’ve won the most games and scored the most goals, so you can’t ask for any more than that. We maybe conceded a few goals we’re disappointed with, but that’s irrelevant now…

“You always want to test yourself against the best players. I’ve done it in the Premier League with West Brom, but now to get the opportunity at the Euros will be a new experience, but a fantastic experience”.