O’Neill: NI call is step closer to big time for Crues star Whyte
...and cut-price Evans is £3m offer Premier top six can’t refuse
NORTHERN Ireland manager Michael O’Neill believes Crusaders star Gavin Whyte can prosper in a full-time environment and shine on the international stage.
The Crues winger is expected to seal a cross-channel move this summer with Crawley Town, Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers among the clubs eyeing his signature.
Whyte (right) was drafted into the senior panel for the first time ahead of Northern Ireland’s upcoming trip to Central America.
“Should he get that opportunity to go into full-time football, he’s equipped to hit the ground running and if he does so then, automatically, he’s going to come on to my radar,” said O’Neill. “Gavin has the capability to make a real impact if given the chance. It is vital for him to get that move because you cannot be a sustained international player and part-time.”
Northern Ireland’s visit to Central America features games against Panama on May 30 and Costa Rica on June 3.
West Brom ace Jonny Evans has also been selected and, as he has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for £3million following the Baggies’ relegation, international boss O’Neill added: “To get Jonny for £3million is a no-brainer for me. He has always been capable of being in the Premier League’s top-six teams.”
NORTHERN Ireland boss Michael O’Neill is hoping he has found the perfect blend of youth and experience ahead of the trip to Central America, and the stage is set for a few fresh faces to take a first significant step in successful senior international careers.
Crusaders ace Gavin Whyte and Scunthorpe loanee Cameron McGeehan have been called up for Northern Ireland’s clashes in Panama and Costa Rica, along with young goalkeepers Conor Hazard (Celtic) and Bailey Peacock-Farrell (Leeds United).
The uncapped quartet are joined in the squad by keeper Trevor Carson and strikers Paul Smyth and Shay McCartan who have all made one senior appearance.
A number of senior players will not feature — including Will Grigg, Conor Washington, Kyle Lafferty, Michael McGovern, Jamie Ward and captain Steven Davis — allowing rising stars to make an impact against England’s World Cup opponents Panama on May 30 and Costa Rica in San Jose on June 3.
QPR frontman Smyth netted the winner against South Korea on his senior debut and O’Neill believes that fairy tale story can inspire the young players like Whyte.
“We’ve watched Gavin over the past two or three years and I think the season before last he had a dip, but this season he has been exceptional,” said O’Neill.
“I was really impressed by his performances with Northern Ireland Under-21s against Spain and Iceland. He has to get into full-time football, it is the same as Liam Boyce or Stuart Dallas, anyone from an Irish League background. We can help and nurture them to get into that environment then it is about what they can do once in it.
“Certainly for Gavin it is the next step in his career.
“Back in March it was the first time we had the scenario of the Under-21s and seniors both in the same place at the same time, which was good.
“We were able to bring players up from the Under-21s and got Liam Boyce in to talk to them about his journey to get to where he is now with his career.
“Hopefully it can all switch things on for the players back here in Northern Ireland that the opportunity is there, but they have to maybe get out of the mentality of being Tuesday/ Thursday/Saturday players and instead think like full-time players.”
O’Neill could again dip into the Under-21 squad should injuries arise.
“The younger players in that squad may or may not get gametime but have that introduction to the senior group and a chance to go away on tour,” he added.
“I could have filled those six spaces with experienced players who would have been kicking their heels annoyed at not playing.
“It makes more sense to do it like this, and there are one or two others on the periphery, particularly in the Under-21s, we are thinking about if we had any withdrawals would we fill the squad more with a younger player and we probably would.”
West Brom pair Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley have been selected but their club-mate Chris Brunt is not included as he continues to weigh up his international future.
Evans has a clause in his Baggies contract allowing him to leave for £3million following relegation and O’Neill admits the former Manchester United defender is now a bargain buy.
“When you look at what players move for now, to get Jonny for £3million is a no-brainer for me,” added O’Neill. “Obviously in the Premier League at the top end it is not just about what it costs but if he is the right player for your club.
“Jonny’s had a difficult second half of the season at West Brom during what has been a difficult season overall for his club.
“But if you look at Jonny over the past two years and how he has played for us at international level, he has always been for me someone capable of being in the Premier League’s top-six teams.”