Dara O’Shea says leading West Bromwich Albion out in a league game with the captain’s armband on is a “special” memory he’ll never forget.
The Republic of Ireland international was made skipper for the first time for the club’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Hull City on Saturday, a game which the Baggies dominated and won 5-2.
O’Shea has risen up through the ranks in the academy to the senior side and spoke of the “immense pride” he felt out on the pitch following the fixture.
Dara said: “The emotion I’m feeling the most right now is immense pride If I’m being honest.
“I’ve been here since I was 16 and just to play for the first team is a massive honour, but to lead the team out as captain in a league game is special.
“I’ll never forget this moment.
“I didn’t know I was going to be captain until before the game so it kind of came at me quite fast. The boss mentioned it in the team meeting before the game. I saw my name up to play and it had captain next to it too.
“I was just really happy when I saw it.
“I just prepared exactly the same way and approached it like I would any other game to be honest.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do here, be a captain. I’m just really happy to have achieved it.
“It was almost a perfect afternoon and I say almost because I would’ve wanted us to have kept a clean sheet.
“I’m really disappointed we’ve conceded two goals in that game.
“Scoring goals is what we’ve been lacking of late. We’ve been playing well but we haven’t been scoring and we haven’t been winning. You need to score to win games and we’ve managed to get five today which is really pleasing.
“It’s massive for the boys and the whole team. It proves what we are trying to do is right. Goals will come. It’s a really positive day.
“I’ll take the goal if they want to give it to me, but as a defender, I’d rather have kept a clean sheet.
“Everyone back home has been messaging me. I’m going to enjoy this moment and try and take it all in.”
