Sheffield Wednesday and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles backed to be a 'real star'
Pierce Charles is attracting interest
Owls goalkeeper Pierce Charles has the potential to be a ‘real star.’
That is the opinion of former Northern Ireland goalkeeper, Michael McGovern, who is now a coach at Celtic. Having been capped 32 times by his country, McGovern knows what it takes to make it on the international stage and he has been monitoring the progress of Charles for some time.
Charles, 20, made 21 starts in the Championship last season. That total would have been a lot more had he not suffered a couple of injuries. He still has one year remaining on his contract but Wednesday’s negotiating position has been weakened following relegation to League One. Charles was in Manchester City’s academy and he has been linked with a move back there, while Danny Rohl and Rangers are also reportedly interested in him. There is no doubt he is better than League One but a move upwards could stunt his progress if he is not playing.
“I think from Pierce’s point of view, you just have to keep playing football and developing,” McGovern told the Belfast Telegraph. “I have watched him a good bit and I see so much potential in him. He can be a real star and you can see that despite his young age. I’m sure there is interest in him. “
Charles is set to be in action for Northern Ireland again later on Thursday as they play Guinea in a friendly in Spain at 5pm. He will also face some world stars when they come up against France next Monday. The friendlies have been organised in preparation for the UEFA Nations League campaign in autumn when Northern Ireland will face Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia.
McGovern, who played some of his club football at Norwich City, continued: “He has so many talents, including being exceptional with the ball at his feet. He is one of the best I have seen at that, but he is also very good at defending the goal and makes big saves in big moments. It’s not just his distribution that impresses people.”