Latest Wales Re-call, Mark Harris, discusses return to form and credits Oxford for Wales recognition
- Blake Bint
- Sep 6, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 11, 2024
Oxford United in-form star Mark Harris speaks about Oxford resurging his career both domestically and internationally after he looks ahead to a new look Wales set-up awaiting a first cap for two years.
United’s goal machine has had a remarkable start to the season for the Yellows but it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Welshman.
Harris, 25, scored what is already being called a goal of the season contender with a 40-yard screamer lobbing the Blackburn ‘keeper in vain of a 2-1 loss two weeks ago.
He said: “To be honest, the way it was laid back to me, it sat perfectly. I always knew it was going to have a good chance.
“As soon as it left my foot, I was watching it as I saw the ‘keeper off his line. When you’re in good form you get a confidence and things go your way so it definitely felt good.”
Already, Harris has set a new personal record for goals in a Championship campaign after tallying 15 in League One last season.
“I had a good run of form at the back end of last season and obviously winning the playoffs at Wembley makes you feel good when you head into a new season so I was just looking forward to getting off to a good start.
“I know I hadn’t had the best of goalscoring records at Cardiff so since coming to Oxford I’ve relished the opportunity of playing as a striker every week.”
After his remarkable start to the season, the 25-year-old has had eyes on goalscoring targets: “I’ve been asked by a few journalists about goals for the season and I have kept them close to my chest, I don’t like giving them away. After scoring a goal a game so far, I have given them a rethink but I’m a striker, I want to just keep scoring goals.
“I want to play as a nine and being in and out of a team and playing as a nine, winger, sometimes a ten made it difficult but when you’re younger you’re just still looking to learn as much as you can as a player and I was just happy to be playing.
“Liam [Manning] got me playing in a certain way, obviously he was the boss when I moved here, coming in I said I wanted to play as a nine, that’s my preferred role and he was great working with me and Des [Buckingham] has carried that on and we’ve had a great start.”
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Harris could make his first appearance for Wales tonight after a brilliant return to Championship life, netting four times in as many league games this season.
The U’s striker alluded to the difficulty in dropping down a division in order to better his career.
“It was strange leaving a club I joined when I was five years old [Cardiff City]. After a few difficult years in and out the side it wasn’t an easy decision to move away from home but after speaking to Liam, I was excited for what the future could hold.”
Harris’ call-up to the national side is his first since the 2022 Qatar World Cup, although he didn’t appear in the competition.
Awaiting his sixth cap against Turkey (tonight) or Montenegro (Tuesday, September 9), he spoke about how leaving Cardiff could affect his career internationally.
“Of course, it was a setback at first. I knew I probably wouldn’t be called up from League One but I think for me it was about finding that ability I knew I had.
“Last season was great and obviously getting promoted then the start I’ve had this season back in the Championship has been nice to get recognised for that.”
Harris left Cardiff with a personal best seasonal tally of just three goals, at 25 years old he still has room for improvement while finding the form of his career so far.
Wales appointed new boss, Craig Bellamy after the former Man City and Liverpool forward was recently working as Assistant Manager at Burnley to Vincent Kompany.
Bellamy succeeds Rob Page in the position after failing to qualify for the 2024 European Championships.
“I got informed by email so I was delighted with that and I’m looking forward to meeting him and joining up with some of the boys again.
“Obviously learning under Gareth [Bale] and likes of Rambo [Aaron Ramsey] are great leaders to be around along with players like Rubin Colwill who I played with at Cardiff, it’ll be great to join back up with them and hopefully carry on the performances I’ve been putting in.” Harris said following the squad announcement before joining up with the squad at the Vale on Sunday, September 1.
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