Northern Ireland striker David Healy fits comfortably into the top three finishers Paul McVeigh has played alongside in the game.

The Rangers frontman was McVeigh’s colleague at underage and senior level for Northern Ireland and during Healy’s loan spell at Norwich City.

“David and I played together as youngsters in the Northern Ireland set-up, so I got to see just how good he was early on — and it was no surprise that he did so well at senior level,” McVeigh said.

“He is, for me, one of the best finishers I have played with or watched in the game — he’s up there with Teddy Sheringham and Dean Ashton in terms of having an eye for goal and taking his opportunity to score.”

Capped 91 times for Northern Ireland, Healy’s remarkable tally of 35 goals includes a record 13 in a European Championship qualifying campaign.

Healy also memorably scored a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Spain — who went on to become World and European champions — in 2006, and a year beforehand famously bagged the only goal of the game for a World Cup qualifying win over England at Windsor Park (pictured).

McVeigh, who played 20 times for Northern Ireland, added: “I don’t think David gets enough credit for his achievements at international level; he was exceptional and he played with a great sense of pride — as he still does.

“When I was in the Northern Ireland team there was always a few players you could depend on to raise their game; guys like Aaron Hughes, Maik Taylor and David were always exceptional.

“David and his ability to score always gave the players around him a belief that a match could be won regardless of the opposition.

“For a team to not qualify for a major tournament on the back of his goals is a shame.”

McVeigh fears Northern Ireland will find it difficult to unearth another Healy.

He said: “I’m not sure Northern Ireland will ever have a striker like David again.

“Unless Northern Ireland suddenly becomes a successful team with every player wanting to play, then it may be some time before another striker like him comes to the fore.

“David is to Northern Ireland what Robbie Keane is to the Republic — but you get the sense there may be more Robbie Keane-like strikers in future Republic teams.”

Motivational speaker and business coach McVeigh revealed that even during Healy’s lean period under the managerial guidance of ex-Northern Ireland boss Sammy McIlroy, the Killyleagh man never dropped his head.

He said: “There was a lot of pressure on David when the team wasn’t scoring but he never let it get to him.

“Even in the toughest times it was easy to see his pride, desire and self-belief — every time he plays for Northern Ireland he is absolutely desperate to win.”