Hi °C | Lo °C Derry City winger Niall McGinn has earned a surprise call-up to the Northern Ireland squad.
The 21-year-old will be included in the list of players for the Windsor Park friendly with Hungary on November 19 when it is released by manager Nigel Worthington this week.
That means the Tyrone man is in line to cap a remarkable year with a full international debut.
And with Worthington expected to hand opportunities to some of his fringe players, there is every chance that McGinn will get a lengthy run-out against the Hungarians.
Both Worthington and his predecessor Lawrie Sanchez ignored calls to bring former Derry favourite Pat McCourt back into the squad after winning his single cap against Spain in 2002. He may get the nod this time, though, alongside McGinn after playing in Celtic’s last two league games following his summer move to Glasgow.
It was this time last year that McGinn was named as Northern Ireland Football Writers Player of the Month and just a few weeks into the New Year Derry City manager Stephen Kenny paid Dungannon Swifts over £10,000 for the youngster to make him one of the first signings of his second spell at the Brandywell.
McGinn has shone for the Candystripes and the international call-up comes after McGinn attracted the attention of cross-channel clubs.
