European Qualifiers: Paddy McCourt set for Northern Ireland chance
Thursday 9 October 2014 20:19, UK
Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill is ready to let winger Paddy McCourt loose on the Faroe Islands again at Windsor Park on Saturday.
McCourt, 30, has not played a competitive fixture for his country since a cameo from the bench against Israel last March and has only made one friendly appearance since then.
He was not involved in the summer tour of South America and also missed out on last month's opening European Qualifier in Hungary, having only recently signed for Brighton.
But, with the Faroes likely to adopt a defensive approach in Belfast, McCourt looks set to be given his chance by O’Neill, especially as his standout performance in a Northern Ireland shirt came against them in a Euro 2012 qualifier when he scored two goals and laid on another in a 4-0 win.
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"Paddy's previous against them has to come into the thinking given the nature of the game we're expecting," said O'Neill.
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"The Faroes will try to be hard to break down and a lot of strong teams haven't found it easy against them recently. Paddy has the ability to unlock the door and he gives us different options.
The Faroes will try to be hard to break down and a lot of strong teams haven't found it easy against them recently. Paddy has the ability to unlock the door and he gives us different options.
"He's unique in terms of what he brings to our squad.
"He hasn't played a lot of minutes at Brighton but we've watched him and it's a question of what we can get out of him."
A lack of consistent playing time at club level with Celtic and then Barnsley has too often scuppered McCourt's international ambitions, but O’Neill hopes he can now make an impact at Brighton.
"Paddy still has loads to offer and he has a really good opportunity at a very good club, let's hope he can take it," he said.
"His club situation hasn't always been great but the signs are he's had a good start this season - we had someone at the cup game against Burton and he did well.
"He's a talented player and whether we start him or use him from the bench it's always exciting to have him around."
Watch Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands live on Sky Sports 5 at 7.45pm on Saturday.
