For Callum Marshall, another milestone has been ticked off an ever-shortening bucket list.
The young Hammer made his home senior debut for Northern Ireland in 3-0 win over San Marino on Saturday afternoon.
And as expected, he was thrilled at the opportunity to cherish and taste the Windsor Park atmosphere.
“I haven’t experienced something on that level before,” he told whufc.com. “It’s all very new to me.
“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.”
For any player, a home senior international debut is of course a cherished milestone. But for Marshall, Windsor Park means a lot.
Here, Marshall made his senior bow and scored his first senior goal for Linfield. Now, two years on, he’s made his home debut for Northern Ireland. He almost had his first senior international goal too.
His first touch - a diving header, no less - was saved. San Marino goalkeeper Elia Benedettini dived to his right keeping out Marshall’s effort.
And just like that night in Denmark, the young Hammer was denied by the barest of margins.
“I was calling for the pass,” he explained. “And then I just tried to follow in the shot. It just came back at me, and I tried to get it past the keeper.
"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.
🔄 62' | Triple sub! Callum Marshall, Isaac Price and Conor Washington are on for Paul Smyth, Jonny Evans and Josh Magennis | Latest: NIR 2-0 SMR | #GAWA #NIRSMR
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) October 14, 2023
A chance to impress once more, although regardless of involvement on Tuesday, it has been some journey for the young striker.
The latest step, a home debut, is arguably his most memorable yet, but he is just getting started.
“We will see which way the game goes on Tuesday and hopefully I can get a few more minutes under my belt,” he added.
“Two years ago, I was playing for Linfield, so it has been mad. I went to West Ham and have worked my way up there. I got my call-up to Northern Ireland’s first team so all that work is paying off right now.”
