McCarthy gets first national call-up
St Mirren youngster Conor McCarthy has seen his impressive form on the park rewarded with a maiden call-up for international duty.
While he has been involved in training camps in the Irish youth-set up before, this is his first official call up to his country’s under-21’s team.
The Cork native joined up with the squad on Monday ahead of their upcoming UEFA under- 21 European Championship Qualifier away to Italy.
McCarthy was part of Stephen Kenny’s home-based under-21 squad that played the Ireland Amateur team in February 2019.
And now under-21 boss Jim Crawford believes it’s time for the 22-year-old to step up and show what he can do on the international stage.
Club manager Jim Goodwin believes it’s a sign of how far he has come during his time with the Buddies.
“I’m really pleased with the progress that Conor is making,” he told Express Sport.
“Like any young 22-year-old they have ups and downs in terms of performance.
“The more consistent he gets the better he’ll be.
“I thought he was outstanding in Aberdeen, I think that was one of his best games in a St Mirren jersey for a long, long time.
“Conor is getting the recognition he deserves at international level I believe.
“The Ireland under-21 group is a very good group of players. There’s some boys in there that are playing for some top, top clubs in England.”
Goodwin believes McCarthy’s progressions shows the Buddies are recruiting well by going after young prospects eager to learn and develop their game in Paisley.
Goodwin added: “For us as a club, to have a player like that on the international stage, albeit at under-21 level, is terrific for us.
“Hopefully he has a good week training with them and gets onto the park against
Italy. His attitude towards the game is incredible and he beats himself up about mistakes in games something terrible because he’s so desperate to do well for the team.
“Hopefully he comes back to us with an under-21 cap under his belt.”