Reid ready to 'kick on' for Northern Ireland

Jamie Reid scored against Romania on his international debut in March 2024

Northern Ireland striker Jamie Reid says he is in a "completely different headspace" this season as he looks to bring his club form on to the international stage.

His side begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign away to Luxembourg on Thursday night (19:45 BST) before facing Germany in Cologne on Sunday.

The 31-year-old scored on his senior international debut in a friendly against Romania in March 2024 but discovered a blood clot in his leg that summer which led to a stuttering season last time around.

After feeling like he was playing "catch-up" throughout 2024-25, he has started this campaign well with Stevenage in League One, scoring five goals in his first six games.

"I just want to kick on now because I felt last year wasn't the best version of me. I didn't have a pre-season and I was obviously recovering from that blood clot, so it was tough for me," he said.

"The belief has always been there but last year, mentally as well, I wasn't in the best place to play at the level that I need to be to be playing for Northern Ireland.

"This year I'm in a completely different headspace and completely different. My body feels so much better."

The Northern Ireland squad has been hit with numerous injuries before the double-header with goalkeeper Pierce Charles and defenders Dan Ballard and Brodie Spencer among the key absentees.

Reid believes those who will fill the void are "more than capable of stepping in and taking the shirt" and helping the side to make a strong start to their campaign.

Up front, he will be hoping for a chance to impress but the likes of Dion Charles, Ronan Hale, Dale Taylor and Callum Marshall are all options to play as a lone striker in O'Neill's usual system.

"It's good to have competition for places, I think it keeps everyone trying to play at their highest level," Reid added.

"I've been a pro since I was 18, so I know how to compete for a place. I think we're all pushing in one direction so it doesn't step over.

"We're all trying to fight for that spot but we're all a team, we're all trying to go one way."