Caragh Hamilton: Northern Ireland winger ready to 'embrace' leadership role

Caragh Hamilton has captained Championship side Lewes this season

Northern Ireland winger Caragh Hamilton says developing as a leader is the "next step of progression" for her as a footballer.

Hamilton, 27, joined Championship side Lewes in June and has captained a young squad in the absence of Rhian Cleverly.

She also hopes she can add to that leadership with Northern Ireland.

"That's a new challenge for me to take on and embrace," Hamilton said ahead of Northern Ireland's Nations League double-header with Hungary.

"It's something that mentors to me have spoken about over the past couple of months, that's it's the next step of progression for me.

"Obviously, trying to develop as a player technically but also develop as a person and that leadership role is something I am really trying to embrace.

"I think it's my role as one of the more senior players."

Hamilton made the move to Lewes in June after spending most of her career in the Women's Premiership in Northern Ireland with Glentoran.

She adds that it took a bit of time to adjust to life in England, but she is now "hitting my stride" as Lewes look to build after a difficult start to the season.

Hamilton has been handed the armband when captain Cleverly has not been playing, and she scored her first goal in October's win over Watford.

"I've started to find my feet now, I think it took me a couple of weeks with the Championship being so competitive," she added.

"I think it was a little bit of a shock to the system but now I know what to expect, so I think I'm now hitting my stride and, as a team, we've started to find out feet a little bit more.

"I think it's the step up in terms of the quality. There are so many good players in that league. I was so used to what it is like playing at home, so it was a new challenge with a new group of players.

"I'd been playing with the same girls year in, year out, so to integrate myself into a new group and just establish myself and be a bit of a leader."

• Cliftonville defender Kelsie Burrows returns to Northern Ireland squad

'The focus is on us'

Hamilton (right) has won 34 Northern Ireland caps

After a defeat by the Republic of Ireland and win over Albania in their first two Nations League matches under new manager Tanya Oxtoby, Northern Ireland are back in a double-header with Hungary.

There is one change to Oxtoby's squad with winger Kirsty McGuinness absent and replaced by Cliftonville team-mate Danielle Maxwell.

Hungary drew with Albania in their opener and were thrashed by the Republic in their second game, but Hamilton says she is anticipating a tight match on Friday, before the reverse fixture in Belfast on Tuesday.

"They are a team who are very close to us in terms of the rankings and stuff," Hamilton added.

"We have touched on them in terms of the challenges that they present and we expect a very tight encounter.

"The focus is on us and that is the main message that Tanya wants to put across to us.

"We are focusing on our journey because it is a new manager and a new style, and we really want to progress over this next campaign.

"The belief is there that we can get maximum points and there is no doubt in our minds about what we are going after."