HE’S FLIPPING MARVELLOUS
PAUL SMYTH has promised more somersaults if he secures a place in Northern Ireland’s senior squad following his sensational debut against South Korea. The little QPR striker scored the winning goal just four minutes after coming on as a late substitute and celebrated in style at Windsor Park. ‘That’s a trademark Paul Smyth celebration and it will be around a lot if I keep scoring goals like that,’ said the 20-year-old, who also scored on his QPR debut against Cardiff on New Year’s Day. Smyth, who weighs only nine-and-a-half stone and is asthmatic, received his first call-up after playing for the Under 21s against Spain on Thursday night. ‘I was freaking out,’ he added. ‘I didn’t know what to do. There was a bit of nerves at the start and then I got my game head on.’ Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill took Smyth to Euro 2016 in France to make up the numbers in training, but the striker is now pushing for a place in the senior squad to play England’s World Cup opponents Panama and then Costa Rica at the end of the season. ‘I would love to go but it’s Michael O’Neill’s choice,’ said Smyth. ‘I’ll be waiting patiently. If it’s not my time, it’s not my time.’