Devenny: I want to hit the ground running

First-team

8 Jun 2026

Justin Devenny is already looking forward to 2026/27 with Crystal Palace as he prepares for his final game of the current season on the international stage with Northern Ireland.

Devenny and his fellow countrymen take on 2018 World Cup winners France on Monday evening (20:10 BST) in Lille.

For the hosts it is their final warm-up fixture before they head to North America in a quest to become World Champions for a third time.

Northern Ireland won't be at the finals this time around, but Devenny is still motivated to finish his season on a high.

"Hopefully I can go in and do well for myself [against France] and just give a good account of myself," he said. "It is a fresh start when I get back, so I will be looking to kick on and do well.

“Every game you learn something. We’re playing against probably the best team in the world, they’re ranked number one in the world right now, so there’s a lot to learn.

“It’ll be tough and there’ll be moments in the game when we need to stick together.

"But throughout your career you want to challenge yourself against the best players.

"It's good to see yourself in that environment, at the top of your game, because they’re almost a team full of superstars. I think you just need to take as much as you can away from the experience.”

Quote Icons

My intention is to hit the ground running
—Justin Devenny

Although Devenny still has the small matter of facing one of the favourites for the World Cup, the midfielder already has one eye on making a fast start when he returns for pre-season training.

He started last season with a bang, scoring the winning penalty to help Palace lift the Community Shield against Liverpool at Wembley. Next season he is targeting an increase in his minutes on the pitch.

“With every season, every game throughout my career, it has progressed pretty quick, but I’ve been in and out, getting minutes here and there,” he added.

“My intentions going back for pre-season will be to really just hit the ground running, trying my best and to keep working hard.

“You never know, because things change a lot in football and they change quick. I just need to keep focusing on myself and work hard.

"A fresh start just brings opportunities. I want to be playing week-in, week-out, and hopefully I’ll do that."

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