Jonny Evans was called into the Northern Ireland squad again
this week and is continuing to set his sights on a rapid
progression up the football ladder.
Around 18 months ago, Evans was in United's youth team. Now he is
vying for a regular spot in the Irish national team, and hoping to
impress Sir Alex Ferguson with his performances on loan at Royal
Antwerp.
Evans is confident and self-assured on the pitch and away from it
and, having failed to reach one of his targets last season, he is
determined to keep pushing on.
"I always set myself targets and the idea was to get in United's
first team before the end of last season," said Evans. "It didn't
happen but that made me even more determined to succeed.
"I was called up for United's squad to South Africa and played a
few pre-season games. Then two months later I was playing
international football against Spain - things have happened pretty
quickly."
The 18-year-old centre-back, along with fellow youth team graduates
Fraizer Campbell and Darron Gibson, is highly rated at the club.
And playing for United's first team is very much in his plans and
Sir Alex's plans.
"Last year I was in United's reserves so going to Antwerp is a
natural progression as I am playing first-team football in Europe,"
he said.
"You want to make that next step up. That is the way you have to
look at things and I am pleased with the way things are
progressing."
