The centre back’s burst forward during his country’s European Championship qualifying clash in Dublin was rewarded, as the 27-year-old rounded off a swift, flowing move with a low first-time finish to give his side the lead.
David McGoldrick’s late leveller earned the hosts a point, but Schär – who bagged the Magpies’ equaliser against Watford in their last outing after a similarly penetrating run from deep – then helped Vladimir Petkovic’s men record a 4-0 win over Gibraltar three days later, setting up Admir Mehmedi’s goal with a fine cross.
And the United man feels he is going into the next block of Premier League fixtures in good form – and says his defensive responsibilities won’t affect his desire to continue to make an impact at the other end of the pitch.
“I think the goal was quite good – how we played, with this one-touch football, I think it’s nice to watch,” he told nufc.co.uk. “Also for me the feeling when we play like this, with the passing and the finishing, was very good, so for me I think it’s one of the better goals I’ve scored. It was a nice feeling.
“I just try to do what I can and at the moment, in the last games, I’ve scored some goals. It’s nice if you can help the team with this but still, I’m a defender and that’s my first job – to defend.
“But on the other side, I’m a player who tries to help the team play with the ball or scoring, if it’s possible. I just try to do what I can, but at the moment, it’s quite good.”
Schär scored four goals for Newcastle last term, with two of them particularly eye-catching – his marauding run and confident finish against Cardiff City, and his long-range strike against Burnley which was later voted NUFC TV’s goal of the season.
“I know that the fans obviously see what abilities I have,” he added. “Sometimes I do (make those forward runs), sometimes not, but I think I was always a player with this way of playing, and I will never change it. I’m just doing my job with my strengths.”
Schär is likely to be involved for United as they return to action at Liverpool on Saturday afternoon (12:30pm kick-off).
Steve Bruce’s side now have another four fixtures before the next international break, with the clash at Anfield followed by a home game against Brighton, a trip to Leicester City and the visit of Manchester United.
“It’s probably one of the hardest games in the season, away at Liverpool. They’ve had a really good start to the season and especially at home, they’re always dangerous – I don’t know when they last lost a home game,” said Schär. “Of course it will be very, very tough and we need to have a perfect day to get something, but I think we have strengths in our team. We have to put it on the field and see what happens.
“I think the whole year is important – you can always say it’s an important period. You have to try in all games in the season to be ready and to give your best and do your job. That’s what I try to do. The last weeks were quite good, and I’m working hard to keep it like this.”
