Shrewsbury Town's Josh Daniels buoyed by family pride

Northern Irishman Daniels, 25, started his third game in a week for the first time in his debut season in Shropshire, netting the crucial first goal with his head at Rochdale on Tuesday.

Daniels revealed his young daughter Zahra, who is three next month and lives with the winger and mum Hannah in Shrewsbury, was allowed to stay up late and watch her dad in action via iFollow.

“My missus was obviously watching with the wee one, she usually goes to bed around eight but is able to watch the games,” Daniels said.

“It’s nice, she’s sitting with her wee Shrewsbury top on with ‘Daddy’ on the back. I’m doing it for them at the end of the day. I’m 25 now, I’m not a young lad at the end of the day.

“I’ve come here to make a career and life for my family, so it’s all good.

“It’s probably the best feeling I’ve ever had in football (Zahra watching), the goals you score, but there’s no feeling like having your wee one there with your t-shirt on watching and being so proud.”

“I could’ve played shocking and got whipped off at half-time and I still go back home to them, there’s no sadness or hard feelings, they don’t care about football they care about me. I have my sister and god-daughter back home in Derry watching and my missus’ parents, we’re tight-knit.”

The left-winger-turned-right-wing-back is enjoying a significant breakthrough period in blue and amber having found opportunities tough to come by after being brought to the club from Glenavon by Sam Ricketts.

Stand-in boss Aaron Wilbraham described Daniels as the best trainer at the club and said his attitude has been exemplary throughout spells out the side.

Daniels added: “Some people see it as punishment, being brought away as 19th man, but not for me, I’m involved in the team, I see it as being part of the family.

“On Boxing Day, go away and not involved? It doesn’t bother me, I’m a footballer and have devoted my life to it, I’m going to give everything I can to have a good career.”