When Liverpool’s Conor Bradley prepares so as to add to his tally of Northern Eire caps as soon as extra on Tuesday, he’ll be cheered on by his primary fan – Countdown host Colin Murray.
Bradley has gained a military of admirers since breaking by at Anfield throughout 2023-24, then scoring his first Northern Eire purpose to safe victory in opposition to Scotland at Hampden Park in March.
Murray is unquestionably considered one of them – the tv and radio presenter has lengthy been a supporter of each Liverpool and the Northern Eire nationwide crew, and is positively beaming when he speaks to FourFourTwo in regards to the 20-year-old prospect.
“As a Northern Irishman, we had Brendan Rodgers as supervisor, Jim Magilton performed for Liverpool for a bit and there was a man known as Sammy Smith again in like 1925, however there have been so few different gamers,” Murray says.
“When Bradley broke by for Liverpool, I can’t let you know what it was like. I’ve by no means met him, however it’s simply unbelievable for me to have a participant like that – I by no means need him to go away Liverpool.
“David Healy was at Manchester United and left, so it doesn’t imply that as a result of Bradley is there now, he’s going to be there in two or three years, however I actually hope he fulfils his potential. I really like him.”
Northern Eire face Andorra on Tuesday night time, with Bradley set so as to add to the 16 caps he’s already amassed since his senior worldwide debut in 2021.
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Some are already tipping him to change into a legend – Northern Irish boxer Carl Frampton claimed that Bradley may change into the nation’s highest profile footballer after George Greatest, which was some reward, contemplating the likes of Pat Jennings have additionally represented the nationwide crew.
After changing into an everyday within the Liverpool facet, harm meant that Bradley didn’t begin the ultimate six Premier League video games of the Reds’ season, permitting Trent Alexander-Arnold to return to health and return to the facet at right-back.
Alexander-Arnold’s seniority means his place within the facet isn’t more likely to be doubtful, however the 25-year-old also can play in midfield, and Murray would like to see the duo in the identical line-up subsequent season.
“I really like Trent as properly, and I’d have Trent in central midfield anyway,” he mentioned – even earlier than Bradley’s emergence, there had been a debate about Alexander-Arnold’s finest place.
“Watching Bradley has been an absolute pleasure. I’d like to have a Liverpool and Northern Eire joint legend – no offence to Jim Magilton, however you weren’t at Liverpool lengthy sufficient for me to rely you as that.
“I’d like to see somebody of Jamie Carragher’s stature from Northern Eire at Liverpool, that might be a soccer dream for me. I’m so proud watching Bradley, I can’t let you know what a Liverpool and Northern Eire fan feels watching him.
“My coronary heart is in my mouth each recreation, I would like him to be the perfect there’s ever been. I get actually giddy once I speak about it, so I hope he doesn’t f***ing go to United sooner or later!”
Murray was talking as a part of the launch of his new sports activities podcast, The whole lot To Play For, with comic Elis James.
In affiliation with world podcast firm Wondery, the primary season begins on Monday, and tells the in-depth story of Wayne Rooney’s emergence within the England crew, together with his starring position at Euro 2004, 20 years in the past.
“I believe Wondery wished to do one thing with Elis James, then they needed to work out who was going to be the Tempo to his Hale, the Debbie McGee to his Paul Daniels,” Murray chuckles.
“Elis and I are each actually nerdy about our sport. We’re followers first, and we make one another snort, however we love getting deep into a very good story.
“The primary season is about Wayne Rooney’s England profession and appears by his performances at main tournaments – additionally going again by the stuff that was written about him that kind of plagued him, a few of which was utterly false.
“Later we’ve received Wenger versus Ferguson – going again to issues like when Arsene Wenger was smoking on the bench in a tracksuit. We glance on him because the professor who revolutionised soccer – you return three years earlier than that and he was smoking a fag!
“It’s for individuals who like amusing but additionally need to hear past the headline of a narrative. It’s the 2 of us primarily speaking b*****ks, however with a little bit of construction!”
The whole lot To Play For: Wayne Rooney from Wondery, launches in every single place from at this time, with all episodes to binge on Wondery+. Go to wondery.com/reveals/everything-to-play-for
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