Josh Magennis Interview: 'People will say I have over-achieved, that's fine with me'

Josh Magennis wishes his football career could last forever. His love affair with Northern Ireland is as intense now as it was when he made his debut against Turkey on May 26, 2010.

At 34, the Exeter City striker accepts he is entering the twilight of his career, one that has seen him earn 81 caps and plundered 12 international goals.

"I am doing everything I can to prolong my career. I have been so blessed. I refuse to take my life for granted," he says.

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"I never wake up and think today is a slog. I genuinely don't believe in wasting the talents God gave me.

"People will say I have probably got the max out of my career and over-achieved. Listen, I am happy with that.

"I have played with hundreds of kids who have under-achieved. They had all the talent in the world but never got it out of themselves.

"If I am over-achieving, then fine. I say to my wife all the time, that when we get to a stage where I am retired, I just want to wake up and say I gave it everything I had. That I emptied the tank.

"Once the game is done with you, as much as it is the beautiful game, it's harsh. And once football is finished with you, it doesn't look back.

"So for me I am going to ride this until the wheels come off. As long as there is tread on the tyres I will keep trucking on."

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Magennis has started to refine his approach to training, recovery and nutrition as he looks to keep the "wheels turning".

The former Charlton Athletic forward is showing no signs of stopping, highlighted by last month's thunderous strike against Bulgaria at Windsor Park.

"When we're all young, your diet doesn't exist. You can eat and drink whatever you want," he smiles.

"I have relied heavily on my nutrition and also sports science. Aside from the football, we have a gym at our disposal 24/7 and have people looking after us.

"So if you don't take advantage of that, you can only blame yourself. I just try and get the one percents.

"As you go into your thirties it takes a wee bit longer to warm up, and you need your recovery. But when I am up and running I can still perform."

Magennis is now passing on his wisdom to Michael O'Neill's younger players, bestowing sage advice on the youngsters embarking on their own careers.

He said: "When I signed for Cardiff, my head of welfare was a man called Steve Ellis. He was an amazing man. He had all the first and second-year scholars in and he said, before you know it you will be 35 and your career will be over.

"I remember looking around my teammates and thinking 'What is he talking about?'. But he was so right.

"I am 34 now, and I do tell the young lads that you can't waste a day. You can't get it back and the games come and go.

"And once football is done with you, you're finished. It is about having those conversations with young players without sounding patronising."

As for his own retirement plans, Magennis hopes to go out on his own terms.

He said: "One hundred percent. I laugh and joke about not retiring. But I am not daft, I won't be like the tins on the back of a car, dragging along.

"When it makes sense for me to go, I will make that decision. But I feel fit and good and as long as I feel that way then I am happy to stick around."

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