As Euro 2024 kicks off, Conor Bradley will be watching from the sidelines, relaxing on a beach. The Liverpool youngster, fresh off a breakthrough season, will find it tough to see his teammates compete in Germany while he sits out.
After a standout year at Anfield, Bradley deserves his rest. However, he admits to feeling envious of the 10 Liverpool players heading to the Euros. Reflecting on Northern Ireland’s failure to qualify, he shared his sentiments post-match after scoring both goals in Northern Ireland’s 2-0 win over Andorra.
“It’s not going to be an easy watch for me, to be honest,” Bradley confessed. “Not just me, the whole group is gutted we’re not going to a major tournament. But I’ll be cheering the [Liverpool] lads on and hopefully some of them can win it.”
Despite the disappointment, Bradley remains hopeful for Northern Ireland’s future. Missing significant chunks of the Euro 2024 campaign due to injury, he remains optimistic about their prospects. “It’s something we want to do, we want to get to a major competition,” Bradley said.
“With Michael [O’Neill] in charge and the way we are developing, I think it will happen. We just have to keep working hard together, keep trusting each other and hopefully one day it will come.”
Bradley’s talent is no secret to Northern Ireland fans. His emergence on the big stage came when he stepped in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, helping Liverpool clinch the Carabao Cup at Wembley. Reflecting on his season, he plans to spend time with family and switch off completely on holiday. “I’ll go home for a couple of days, see the family, and then I’ll probably go away on holiday. Turn the phone off, relax, and sit beside a beach.”
Looking ahead, Bradley aims to impress Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, who is set to replace Jurgen Klopp. “I’ve got to be ready to go back and stake my claim to try and get in the team,” he asserted.
Bradley’s mixed emotions highlight the bittersweet nature of football. While Euro 2024 unfolds without him, his ambition and determination ensure his future remains bright.
