With Luke McCullough set to represent his country again over the weekend, Doncaster Rovers continues to look back at some of the interviews that have taken place over the past year in RTID.
RTID is available from the Doncaster Rovers Club shop, Ticket office and all programme vendors for just £3.“RTID spoke to young centre back Luke McCullough who has seen his career path take quite a steep trajectory recently as the former Manchester United trainee made his international debut for Northern Ireland in a couple of World Cup warm-up games against Uruguay and Chile.
How was your experience with Northern Ireland over the summer?
It was brilliant, it was a bit of surprise for me, I didn’t really expect to play in both games so once the manager told me I was going to play both games it was a bit of a shock and I had to concentrate on doing as well as I could against good opposition so it was a great experience and it will stand me in good stead for this season as well.
What was it like on a mental level?
You try to treat it as normal as you can because obviously if you get too fazed you’ll just freeze and you wont do well so I tried to treat it as a normal game and it worked for me.
How proud were you to make your debut for your country?
It was obviously brilliant and its one of the reasons you start playing football and to do it at a young age, as well, I had a lot of good messages from back home and the Rovers fans too so it was a great feeling.
What was it like to travel in and around South America?
It was a long trip and you’re learning from the likes of Aaron Hughes, who has ninety caps, so to learn off people like that and be with the lads for a long time was good both on and off the pitch.
How much are you looking forward to the domestic season?
Everyone’s looking forward to it ad buzzing for it. We were glad to get the long trip to Yeovil out of the way early on.
How has the summer been?
I’ve come in and treated it as normal and its been good to get a good pre-season under my belt and that will stand me in good stead for the new season. I haven’t focused too much on what’s been going on with other people or the club, I’ve just focused on myself and its come together that we’ve got a good enough squad for the start of the season so its worked out alright.
How far can this squad go?
We want to go all the way; we want to get promoted, maybe even automatic. We’ve got a lot of talented players and its quite a young squad with experienced pros like (Paul) Keegan, (James) Coppinger and (Rob) Jones so we’ve got a good mix and we’re ready for it.
What’s it like alongside the Corporal?
It’s brilliant, that’s exactly what he is…the Corporal. Last pre-season before he got injured I had a little feel of what it was like to be alongside him and obviously this pre-season it looks like it might be the same. He’s brilliant to play alongside and he’s going to help me through and hopefully I can compliment him too.
We only get to talk to him off the pitch, what’s he like on the pitch?
He’s a great leader; everyone knows that and can see it. He’s going to help me no end this season and I’m going to learn as much as I can on and off the pitch and he’s more than willing to help the young lads so that’s only a good thing.
What’s the feeling at 2.55pm on game day?
I think everyone’s a bit anxious to do well and wants to do well. You’re hoping that in two hours time you’re coming off with three points and you’ve got off to a good start of the season and that’s what everyone’s focussing on doing.”
See Luke and his teammates in action next year by purchasing your 2015/16 Season Tickets on 01302 762576 or by clicking below: