Magennis Targets 100 Caps As World Cup Game Looms

Magennis was portion of nan Northern Ireland squad that qualified for nan 2016 European Championship - their first awesome tourney since nan 1986 World Cup.

The erstwhile Wigan, Hull City, Charlton and Bolton striker played successful 2 group matches and nan past 16 conclusion by Wales successful France and knows really important it would beryllium for his state to scope nan World Cup.

"For Northern Ireland we haven't managed to attain that since nan 1980s," he said.

"We person nan likes of Jimmy Nicholl, who's connected our staff, Gerry Armstrong, Pat Jennings, erstwhile you spot these lads, they ever show you astir what it was to play for your country.

"Most importantly it brings nan state together. When we were astatine Euro 2016 each nan instrumentality zones, everything was greenish and white

"When we came backmost and nan measurement we were welcomed it was thing I've ne'er witnessed before, truthful it's not conscionable personally but together arsenic a state it would beryllium unbelievable."

Magennis is alert that clip is not connected his broadside aft a 17-year master profession that has seen him play successful each 3 tiers of nan English Football League and nan apical formation successful Scotland.

He has seen his chances astatine Exeter constrictive successful caller months owed to nan shape of chap guardant Jayden Wareham, but Magennis says he is fresh and fresh for selection.

"I'm not astatine nan shape now wherever I'm having to person down days aliases days wrong aliases thing for illustration that," he added.

"I'm still training arsenic overmuch arsenic nan different lads, I'm still contributing arsenic overmuch arsenic nan different lads and I'm conscionable making judge that that I'm fresh and disposable and erstwhile I'm needed I tin lend successful immoderate way.

"I deliberation it would beryllium different if if I was conscionable hanging connected for nan liking of hanging connected and I was cheating myself aliases cheating my state - I would ne'er do that.

"But arsenic agelong arsenic I'm fresh and able, and I consciousness that, I'll ever make myself disposable to to beryllium selected."