Amos aiming to impress both at home and abroad

When it comes to international football at Doncaster Rovers, Danny Amos is flying the flag.
Danny AmosDanny Amos
Danny Amos

The young left back is currently on European Championship qualifying duty with Northern Ireland U21s, hoping to win his first cap at the level after impressing with the U19s last year.

An injury robbed him of his U21 cap last month. Boss Ian Barraclough had suggested Amos would have started against the mighty Spain '“ a game which Northern Ireland earned a surprise 2-1 win.

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The Sheffield-born defender was understandably frustrated but has taken the setback in his stride, which is just how he has approached his impressive rise to prominence at Rovers.

Thrust into the first team spotlight late last season, Amos has demonstrated real maturity with his situation as well as impressing on the pitch.

And he puts that down to forcing himself to be confident in the high-pressure environment of first team football.

'It takes a lot of courage to come up and be confident and be yourself in front of everyone,' he said.

'As a senior it is a different environment to come into.

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'In the youth team you're all really close together. It's been different but it's also been a good experience for me as well.

'I got a lot of good minutes in pre-season so it's all been good.

'I think, since the new gaffer came in this summer, everything from last season went out of the window because we all had to impress again to try to get in the team.

'I felt like I have done that and I've been consistent in that.

'All the confidence comes from doing well in training.

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'When the gaffer comes up and says you've done well or you need to improve certain things, it all helps you out.'

The '˜gaffer', Grant McCann, insists he would have no issue starting Amos in any game this season '“ and there is no reason to doubt his word.

Somewhat unfortunate for Amos is the form at left back of Danny Andrew, one of Rovers' shining lights in an impressive start to the season.

And then there has been the even more unfortunate timings of injuries and international call-ups, which have denied him game time in the Checkatrade Trophy he would surely received.

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But, again showing impressive maturity, the 18-year-old's only focus is knuckling down, constantly learning and taking any chance which comes his way.

'At the start of pre-season I came in and I thought, being one of the young lads, I hoped to get a few starts and a few substitute appearances this season,' he said.

'I've looked forward to the cup games and Checkatrade Trophy games and things like that.

'Danny has been great. I sit next to him in the changing room.

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'The players have been coming up to me in training and offering advice, just things I can do better and things I've done well to give me that confidence.

'Danny is a great role model, a great players and he's been great.

'I know it's going to be tough for me but I'm just going to make sure I'm ready when a chance comes.'

As for his international career, Amos is treating it as the same as his club one '“ he is just looking to take an opportunity which comes his way.

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'I want to take that opportunity if I get the chance,' he said.

'I really enjoyed it the last time I was called up and I want to make sure I'm involved all the time.'

Northern Ireland U21s face Iceland on Thursday night before hosting Slovakia at Windsor Park on Tuesday.