Reggie Lambe has hailed becoming Bermuda’s most capped player as the pinnacle of his career.

Lambe, who made his international debut aged 16 against St Kitts & Nevis in 2007, achieved the feat in Bermuda’s 2-1 defeat by Guyana in the Concacaf Nations League on Tuesday, making his 44th appearance for his country to surpass Damon Ming’s record.

Despite the occasion being overshadowed by the result, the 31-year-old who enjoyed a professional career with Ipswich Town, Mansfield Town, Carlisle United and Cambridge United in England, as well as Toronto FC in Major League Soccer, and now plays for English non-League side Stowmarket Town, refused to let it tarnish his proudest achievement.

“This is definitely my highest achievement, it was a proud moment for sure,” he said. “As a young player I always wanted to play for my country, but it never crossed my mind back then that I would ever be Bermuda’s most capped player.

“It wasn’t ever in my mind, I just wanted to play; always made sure I was available for the national team and tried to put my country first.

“Having the opportunity to play in front of my friends and family has always been special and to have achieved this now is just amazing.”

Among his highlights for the national team, Lambe admits the most notable was being part of the squad that reached the Gold Cup for the first time in 2019.

“I’ve had an amazing time playing for the national team and have had a lot of highlights,” he added. “I’ve always been grateful for having that chance growing up and playing alongside my friends. That was always special, but obviously that Gold Cup campaign was a particular highlight.

“I loved being part of that team and playing a big role in big moments; that was amazing.”

Looking at his immediate international future, Lambe, who is with the national squad in the Dominican Republic preparing for a crucial game against Montserrat tomorrow, is determined to a play a role in helping the rest of the players move on from the previous defeat and make amends.

“Obviously we were all disappointed with the Guyana result,” he said. “We mainly felt that way because we know we can play better than that and were capable of coming away with the victory.

“However, now it is about picking the players’ heads up and moving on to the next match. That game has gone and we all know we can make it right against Montserrat.”

Being a mentor among the squad is a role that Lambe is intent on continuing, as he aims to help nurture the next generation of internationals rather than focus on extending his appearance record.

“I’ve not set myself any real targets in terms of the appearance record,” he said. “I’ve always said as long as fit and needed, I’ll always make myself available to play for Bermuda.

“I’ll take every cap that comes but I’m thinking more about helping the younger players to progress and hopefully one day pass my achievement if possible.

“A lot has changed in my time with the national team; we’ve progressed a lot but I want to help keep it growing.

“It would great to see one of the younger players go on play more games than me and pass my number of caps. It’s about passing that torch on and helping the young players come through and progress.”