Grant McCann has admitted this is the “biggest week of his career” — and it’s going swimmingly so far.

McCann has weaved his magic in the Northern Ireland midfield to help Nigel Worthington’s side celebrate four consecutive World Cup qualifying wins.

But he has little time to dwell on his sparkling performances on the international stage as he has a huge domestic date to fulfil at Wembley on Sunday.

The 28-year-old is now hoping to catapult Scunthorpe United to glory in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final against Luton Town.

No doubt the Wembley surface will be a little more conducive to attractive football than the pitch at Windsor Park but McCann is simply thrilled to be stepping from one special atmosphere into another.

Like all players, he has suffered low moments in his career but his performances at international level prove he is finally beginning to showcase his obvious potential. After making history with Northern Ireland, he is now planning to give Iron fans a golden moment to cherish.

Kitted out in claret and blue, when he runs out beneath the Wembley arch it will be one of the proudest moments in McCann’s career, a world away from his humble beginnings at St Andrew’s in Belfast.

Many great players have been denied the chance to sample the Wembley experience but after his goalscoring exploits and tenacious displays for his country, every member of the Green and White Army will wish McCann well on Sunday.

“It’s a massive week for me,” he admitted. “The biggest week of my career. Hopefully the week can finish as it started.

“The club is preparing for a massive test and I’m chasing a hat-trick of positive results after seeing off Poland and Slovenia.

“Just like in the international matches Sunday’s game is all about the result and we will be going all out to perform well and beat Luton.

“I am really pleased to be involved with the Northern Ireland team and playing again. It has helped my confidence a lot and now that I have won my place back I want to hold onto it.”

McCann is certainly on a high after keeping Northern Ireland’s World Cup dream alive.

“We never gave up against Slovenia and I feel we got what we deserved,” he added.

“There is massive belief in the changing rooms at the moment and we believe that we can beat anyone at Windsor Park, especially with that fantastic crowd behind us. They are our twelfth man and provide magnificent support.

“We have just played Poland and they are nothing to be afraid of. We can beat Poland and although Slovakia will be tough to beat at Windsor our record there is fantastic.

“Nobody likes coming to Windsor Park as we have beaten some top teams. Another two have just been put to the sword. Craig Bellamy admitted it is not a nice place to go and it is nice to know away players don’t like it.”