‘It’s not a risk playing for your country, it’s a reward’

After missing the game with an injury, Josh Magennis has won 82 caps for Northern Ireland. He will feature in BBC Sport NI’s coverage of Saturday’s friendly against Denmark.

It’s night and day, but the attitude toward summer friendlies has changed since I first started.

During one of these windows, I actually made my debut.

We traveled to America under Nigel Worthington, and in 2010 we played Turkey and Chile. I was called in late because so many people left because of injuries or had other plans.

Although I greatly benefited from it, many people were expressing their lack of availability. Gareth McAuley and Stephen Craigan were the only senior pros, along with everyone else who was a member of the Under-21s or early in their careers. &nbsp,

Senior players like Steven Davis toeing the line then allowed the young stars, like Corry Evans, Oli Norwood, to simply follow suit.

His man management and how he treats other men are what distinguishes Michael from other men. He doesn’t manipulate you in any way, either.

He expects you to give everything you have, while when you’re at work, you’re free.

He gives you the guidelines for how to look after yourself, but he doesn’t specify what to do.

And he has that ruthlessness about him that you won’t be around if you discover that someone has been having an affair.

It’s just respect, in my opinion, not a fear factor. Boys are adept at breaking the rules.

The biggest risk factor is injury, but it can happen anywhere at any time if you don’t know where you’ll play next season.

And when your club’s future is uncertain, I believe playing international football has a selling point.

People will be asking if Michael O’Neill is selecting him for senior international football if he plays in League One or Championship because he must possess some qualities.

Going into the summer, I’ve always thought that way.

I enjoy playing for my country, so there is no gray area for me.

If I could say that I played for Northern Ireland last year and that I would have had no issues, even though I was looking for a club if I would get injured and that was one of my final games.

I don’t believe it’s just me; we’re all one. Nobody believes it to be difficult or a chore.

You never realize how much you miss playing for your country until you stop doing it, which is how I’ve always loved it.

Firstly, when Michael wanted to see other players and then when I wasn’t in the squad for March because he knew what I could do, and then when I was unable to play because of my hip surgery.

You miss the camaraderie from the first night, the first conversation, and talking to boys about the season this week.

Josh Magennis spoke with Jonathan Bradley of BBC Sport NI.