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

The highly rated Brighton U-21 player is currently captain of Northern Ireland U-19 but missed this summer’s European Home Championships due to injury.

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

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

“I have always worked to get this opportunity, and I am grateful that it has come.

“I have my head down and hope there are many more opportunities.”

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

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

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

‘Now that I’ve had a bit of a sniff, I want to try to stay with the group.

“There’s a lot of excitement and we’re all working hard. We all know what we’re trying to do and we’re trying to outdo this group first and foremost, and we showed tonight that we are ‘us’.” I’m capable of doing it.”