Chloe McCarron says she hopes her move to Glentoran will help seal a place in the Northern Ireland squad for Euro 2022.

She featured on all teams throughout qualifying for Euro 2022 and took part in the play-off victory against Ukraine.

“I want to be in this team for the Euro and I want to be in this competition where the best players in the world play,” said the 23-year-old.

“I don’t want to take my foot off the accelerator. I want to go on and on because next year is coming.”

After impressing for Linfield, where she won numerous trophies, McCarron moved to Birmingham City in the Women’s Super League.

However, his season at Birmingham was harassed by off-field problems on playing and training conditions at the club.

She left Birmingham in April and says that while she has nothing bad to say about the club, she believes the off-pitch issues “could have been avoided”.

“It wasn’t the easiest year, but I think it benefited me in a way because I was learning every day,” she added.

“Being in that environment, with various workouts on the field and in the gym, then you would have meetings every day as well.

“I feel like I understand the game a bit better and I’ve matured a bit more in terms of the game.

“I knew what to expect when I went there, I had spoken to Furney [NI team-mate and Liverpool midfielder Rachel Furness].

“She said it was like playing an international game every game, but I don’t think you can prepare for the backstage.”

Return of Glentoran

After leaving Birmingham, McCarron was widely tipped to return to the Women’s Premiership where she made a name for herself.

She made her Glentoran debut on Friday in a 6-0 win over Cliftonville in the County Antrim Cup and says her goal is to get consistent playing time. She is expected to make her first league appearance against the Crusaders Strikers on Wednesday.

“I want to get sharper and fitter. I want to prepare as much as possible and really challenge myself,” she added.

“I didn’t realize how good the setup was at Glentoran until I started training with them. The club prepares you really well and they have a very professional way of doing things.”

In addition to his training with the East Belfast club and Northern Ireland, McCarron is doing extra work to try and strengthen his form with stiff competition for places at the club and at home.

“I know if I don’t I will be left behind, that’s my mindset and that’s why I keep moving forward,” she said.

“Not even with Northern Ireland, with Glentoran, there are a lot of players who could play my position. I know if I don’t play, they will get it.

“It definitely pushes me and keeps me from being complacent. It gives you an advantage. When I throw a tackle, it’s not just a tackle, it’s part of my whole performance.

“I would rather get 90 minutes solid and be told I played well, than score one but not play well.”

In addition to their title and national cup challenges, Glentoran will face Swiss side Servette Chenois in the Champions League next month and McCarron said the club “must direct our attention”.

“It’s about taking every game as it comes. We have a great team, and the reason we have it is that we can perform in any competition out there,” she said.

“Playing in the Champions League reminds you of international games, you are surrounded by elite players.

“With Northern Ireland you are seen as an outsider so we like to prove people wrong. I think gradually we are proving them wrong and starting to get a little more recognition.”