Northern Ireland's Shea Charles salutes added importance of THAT tackle on Liverpool superstar Dominik Szoboszlai and why 'it was my turn'

An injury-time hero in front of a restricted 60-strong Green And White Army during Friday’s 1-0 away win, Charles had significantly more of the 18,000-plus home supporters celebrating in Belfast with one magic Monday moment.

It may not have delivered the rewards of a match-winning goal when Charles came sliding across the Windsor Park pitch to win the ball with a fierce-but-fair challenge on Hungary skipper Dominik Szoboszlai but it left the Liverpool superstar on the ground and the fans on their feet.

For a player with a rising profile that comes as Northern Ireland’s most expensive footballer following his summer transfer to Premier League-based Fulham for around a record-breaking £30m, it offered another opportunity to measure personal progress.

"He (Szoboszlai) is a top player...always being able to test yourself against those kind of players is really enjoyable, it was a good night,” said Charles after Monday’s 0-0 draw which left Northern Ireland top of the UEFA Nations League group table. "When you get the chance to do that (sliding tackle on Szoboszlai), especially at home, it's incredible.

"It's normally Trai (Hume) or Conor (Bradley) doing that sort of challenge but it was my turn this time…in general, especially when you're at home, you don't want anyone coming in and controlling the game.

"So it's natural to be a bit more physical and send a message that it's not going to be easy to come and play here...the boys were brilliant and defensively we were strong, just putting our bodies on the line towards the end to keep that clean sheet."

The unassuming 22-year-old may avoid the limelight off the field but is happy to embrace that growing responsibility on it as a leader in Michael O’Neill’s exciting young squad. And walking out at Windsor Park on Monday leading his Northern Ireland team-mates as captain marked one spotlight to savour.

"The feeling doesn't really change every time you're captain, leading the team out...especially with this group of lads,” he said. "I wish we got the win but to be in this position as captain in one of the games is just incredible."

Charles was keen to turn the post-match praise towards the collective over any individual credit, with special recognition for the versatility of Ethan Galbraith and Trai Hume allowing tactical tweaks.

"I won my duels and some tackles – but struggled on the ball,” said Charles. "He (Ethan) is so good to play with, honestly, he's such a good player, so technically gifted.

"I know he's always going to be in the right position, whether it's defensively or offensively, I can trust him so much.

"When Ethan goes into the '10', he can play both positions really well, Trai as well is so good to play with, no matter where he's playing.

"You can trust him on the ball, off the ball as well, he did really well in both positions.

"Everyone was really good.

"Clean sheets...huge, especially with such a young defence.

"It's a game that we wanted to win, especially being at home, but unfortunately we weren't really able to create a really clearcut chance in the second half.

"So a bit disappointed not to win the game but a clean sheet...if you can't win the game, then don't lose it in this kind of competition."