Blades star revels in first international goal

Sheffield United forward Callum Robinson scored his first international goal during Republic of Ireland’s 3-1 friendly victory over New Zealand on Thursday. Robinson has enjoyed a successful season at club level since joining Sheffield United from Preston during the summer, as he has featured in 10 of their 12 Premier League games to date.
The 24-year-old grabbed his first top-flight goal during the 2-2 draw at Chelsea in August and he has now added a first strike at international level to his list of achievements, as he headed home a Lee O’Connor cross just 12 minutes after coming on as a substitute at the Aviva Stadium.
The goal came on what was Robinson’s 11th appearance for his country and he was delighted to finally get off the mark, while he is now hoping to earn a starting role for the Republic’s crucial Euro 2020 qualifier with Denmark on Monday – a match Mick McCarthy’s team simply have to win. “Really happy to get my first goal. You can see in my celebration how happy I was,” Robinson told RTE. “Everyone would want to play on Monday night but it’s a squad thing. Everyone has played their part throughout all the qualifiers, so hopefully now we can get over the line.”
Robinson’s exploits on Thursday will certainly have pleased his club manager Chris Wilder, who believes the Blades can benefit from the confidence Robinson would have gained from his goal. “When the boys go away and do well for their country, it’s good for us,” Wilder told The Star. “Obviously, you hope they come back okay but I think, when that happens, we all benefit.”
Sheffield United are riding high in fifth place in the Premier League standings and they will be back in action after the international break when they welcome Manchester United to Bramall Lane on November 24.
Robinson, who has been on the bench for the Blades’ last two matches, will be hoping to start against the Red Devils, as he continues to battle with the likes of Billy Sharp, Lys Mousset and international team-mate David McGoldrick for a regular starting berth.