By Hughie Southon
Brilliant Hammers academy prospect Callum Marshall achieved a new high this afternoon (Sat) when making his Norther Ireland debut in the 3-0 win over San Marino.
Marshall has been in sensational form for the Hammers development team having scored 12 goals from nine games and is looking a player who will be quickly forcing his way into the first team reckoning.
West Ham star Callum Marshall
Last season was magnificent with a FA Youth Cup Final win and Marshall had a goal tally of 23 from 24 games. This year, he wants to do even better.
He has clearly caught the eye of manager David Moyes too, with the Northern Irish forward, alongside U21s teammates Dan Chesters and Kaelan Casey, named on the bench for the Carabao Cup tie against Lincoln City last week.
And while he hasn’t made it into the team he is clearly thriving on the experience of training and travelling with them.
Speaking after this afternoon’s game he declared of the game and was thrilled to feel the Windsor Park atmosphere.
He told www.whufc.com: “We went a couple of goals up in the first half so I knew there would be a pretty good chance of us making changes. And I knew when he [Michael O’Neill] told me around the 55th minute I’d be coming on around the 60th minute, I just had to get myself ready.
“[When I came on] I felt nervous, but it was a nice atmosphere to come on to. I had a few nice touches and hopefully showed a bit of what I can do. When I was warming up, I was smiling at my Aunty and Uncle and cousins. My Mum and Dad were around the other side. They were all saying well done to me after the game.
“I probably should have scored with a header and it would have been within five minutes of coming on.”
For Marshall attention now turns to Tuesday night, when Northern Ireland host Slovenia in another UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier and he will have all fingers crossed if indeed that were possible.