Oldham Athletic’s Ryan McLaughlin has been named in Northern Ireland’s 24-man squad for their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Norway at the end of the month.
The versatile player was last involved with his national side in 2015, when he made a substitute appearance in a 1-0 defeat against Scotland in a friendly.
Speaking to Latics PlayerHD, McLaughlin said he was proud to be recalled: “That’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to go and play regular football, trying to get back in that squad.
“I’m very grateful obviously to Michael O’Neill for putting me in the squad and I’m looking forward to getting involved again and trying to impress.”
There is also the possibility that the 21-year-old could line up with his brother, Connor when they take on Norway.
“We’ve played a couple of times together, on my actual debut I was playing right wing and he was playing right back, then against Chile we started again. I’d love to play in a competitive game [with him], they were friendlies.”
Despite the good news, the Northern Irishman is prioritising next next two Oldham fixtures ahead of the Norway match: “We’re in a relegation fight and that’s the main objective to get out of that so we’re fully focused,” he said.
Northern Ireland take on Norway on Sunday, March 26.