Ex-Derry City defender Eoin Toal keen to grab another chance for Northern Ireland

Former Derry City defender Eoin Toal is determined to seize his opportunity to establish himself in Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland side.

The Bolton defender made his debut in last October's 1-0 Euro 2024 qualifying loss to Slovenia and then started both games in November, including the memorable 2-0 win over Denmark at Windsor Park.

Next up for O'Neill's side is Friday's friendly away to Romania before a fixture against Scotland in Glasgow, and with Manchester United defender Jonny Evans injured, there will be another chance for Toal to add to his caps.

"I feel like you can always improve," Toal said.

"I feel like I'm in with the group, I really enjoy it, I've obviously not played as many games as others but hopefully I can make get more caps, keep trying to improve, keep learning.

"International football is very different and a higher standard to what I'm playing. I think what's good here as well is the manager has given me a chance. I've played three games now, I just want to kick on and make as many appearances as I can."

International football can be a huge step up from what Toal is used to in League One - his debut pitched him against RB Leipzig's exciting young striker Benjamin Sesko - but the 25-year-old is not shying away from the challenge.

"You have to believe in yourself," he said.

"I made my debut alongside Jonny Evans who has over 100 caps, he helped me and talked me through the game, but I think you just have to back yourself."

Toal has pushed himself throughout his career. As a youngster at Derry City he was always determined to earn a move to England, which he did when Bolton snapped him up in the summer of 2022.

The Armagh-born player has established himself as a regular in Ian Evatt's promotion-chasing side