Northern Ireland 2-0 Belarus: Ruairi McConville targeting long NI career after debut

The highly-rated Brighton youngster is currently captain of the Northern Ireland Under-19 side, but missed this summer’s home European Championships through injury.

His call-up to the senior squad came after hamstring injuries prevented Paddy McNair and Eoin Toal from inclusion, and with fellow defender Ciaron Brown suspended for Monday’s final group game with Luxembourg, McConville could be in line for a first senior start.

“I’ve always I’ve always been ready,” McConville said.

“I’ve always been working to try and get this opportunity, and I’m grateful that it that it’s come.

“I’ve put my head down and hope there’s many more opportunities.”

The victory over Belarus was the first time Northern Ireland had named a starting XI which did not feature a single player from their last appearance at a major tournament in 2016.

O’Neill’s has a new nucleus of young players with only two members of the current squad over the age of 30.

“That’s what gives us the excitement that we may get into this team one day,” McConville said when asked about the younger players getting a chance in the senior set-up.

“Now that I’ve got a sniff, I’m gonna want to try and stay around the group.

“There’s a good excitement and we’re all working hard. We all know what we’re we’re trying to do and we’re trying to top this group first of all, and we we showed tonight that we’re we’re capable of doing it.”