Tiernan Lynch is brimming with confidence, urging Derry City to "stick our chest out" and continue attracting international talent following the confirmation of Northern Ireland star Carl Winchester's signing. The seasoned pro has inked a deal with the Candystripes hot on the heels of Robbie Benson's switch from Dundalk.
Winchester, who recently celebrated his 500th English Football League appearance, joins fellow countrymen Liam Boyce, Gavin Whyte and Shane Ferguson at the League of Ireland club, reports the Irish Mirror. With an impressive track record at clubs like Oldham, Cheltenham, Forest Green Rovers, Sunderland, and Shrewsbury Town, the 31-year-old brings a wealth of experience.
"He has had an unbelievable career," Lynch lauded his new recruit. "I think he just played his 500th game last week in the English Football League. When I met with Carl, I think he was probably in a situation where he wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do.
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"He was captain, obviously, of Shrewsbury in League One, but we got the chance to tell him all about our vision for Derry City Football Club and where we want to go as a club, what we want to do as a club. We are obviously very ambitious, and he bought right into our plans."
He further remarked: "If you want to understand Carl Winchester, he has 500 games in the English Football League and he has been captain of every club he has been at; clubs the size of Sunderland. I think that probably tells you everything you need to know."
Regarding Derry's recent recruitment of Northern Ireland talent, Lynch said: "I think from my end, coming to Derry, I genuinely think it has the potential to be the biggest club on the island of Ireland. I think it has every right to attract international footballers. I think the quicker we start understanding that and believing that, and sticking our chest out and bringing more of the likes of these boys in, the better off we'll be."
Despite the success of the transfer window, Lynch acknowledges that switching from Larne to Derry and adapting to a different seasonal schedule posed challenges in player recruitment. "January is not an easy month to bring players in," he shared.
"It's been a little bit strange and something completely new to need to bring in as many players as we've needed to at this time of year," Lynch added, while expressing satisfaction with the calibre of the recruits: "And I think we have been very, very fortunate with the players we have been able to bring in, with the likes of Carl and Robbie, and the experience that they both bring. It's probably going to be invaluable to us."
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