A young St Johnstone midfielder has been called up by Northern Ireland.
Eoghan McCawl (19), a central midfielder who was picked up by Saints after being released by Hull City, is set to play for his country’s under-21s against Ukraine this evening.
And Perth boss Tommy Wright is optimistic that the teenager can forge a career at McDiarmid Park after starring for his top of the table under-20s this season.
“We got a call from Jim Magilton on Friday,” Wright said. “Eoghan will have a good chance of playing against Ukraine.
“He has done well here in the under-20s. He is a good footballer, very good in possession.
“He was released by Hull and we moved for him after he impressed on trial.
“I knew of him because he had been at Linfield as a kid before going to England.
“Eoghan could be a late developer. I think he could have a good future ahead of him.
“He certainly has the ability to play first team football and I see him getting stronger.
“Youngsters can lose their way in England, particularly at Premier and Championship clubs. He has been given a chance here to rebuild his career and so far he is taking it.”
Meanwhile, Wright believes there is still plenty of time for McCawl’s fellow Northern Irishman, Alan Mannus, to rise up the goalkeeping pecking order for the European Championships.
The other two keepers, Michael McGovern and Roy Carroll both got game time in Friday night’s friendly, but Mannus didn’t.
“He will be disappointed he didn’t get game time in the 1-0 win over Latvia,” Wright said. “But the plus side is that he is very much part of the squad for the Euros.
“It is up to Alan to keep working hard, playing the way he has been and things can change quickly.
“They will have other friendlies before the Euros and I am sure Alan will get a run.
“As a manager Michael (O’Neill) is always very open-minded. He will pick what he thinks is the strongest team at the time.
“So if it is a case of Michael McGovern and Roy Carroll not being in form Alan will play.
“You might say he is number three at the moment. But I don’t think it is written in stone that will be the case for the Euros because there is a long way to go before next summer. “A lot can happen between now and then.
“Alan is always very professional and doesn’t need added motivation. For him personally it is something to look forward and it will be great to be part of it.”