Winger looking to impressive managing duo

Northern Irelands Paddy McCourt pictured at Mondays press conference at their Nicosia hotel ahead of tomorrow nights friendly in Cyprus.

The talented winger will be hoping to feature in Northenr Ireland’s friendly in Cyprus and in doing so he’ll be looking to impressive both international manager Michael O’Neill and Barnsley boss Danny Wilson.

McCourt is back in the international scene after a spell on the sidelines and he’s hoping if he gets any game time tomorrow evening then former Northern Ireland international Wilson will start selecting him for the Yorkshire men.

“I signed for Barnsley in mid-August so I missed a wee bit of pre-season. I got up to speed and after my first game in September I started a run of games,” admitted the former Celtic man.

“I was doing quite well but since the new manager has come in I’ve been back on the bench. The manager seems to prefer more defensive players.

“He’s probably looking at the league table and hoping to grind results out. You would need to ask him why I haven’t been playing as much lately.

“There’s still 14 or 15 games left so hopefully I can force my way back in and do well. I’m fit and raring to go.”

The Tykes faithful have at times seen the 30-year-old at his best, scoring memorable goals against Middlesbrough and Brighton, but since the departure of his old friend David Flitcroft the ex-Celtic ace has been sitting on the bench.

“I think fans like to see creative players. When I first broke in at Barnsley I played well, scored some nice goals and all fans seem to take to things like that.

“Hopefully I can play against Cyprus, if not from the start then from the bench, and try to help the team.”

McCourt will again face the Faroe Islands when the Euro 2016 group games kick-off later this year and he would dearly love a repeat of the 2011 game at Windsor Park.

“I really enjoyed that game and scored my first two international goals which was obviously memorable. I hope I can get the chance to do the same this time around,” he added.

“The boys were speaking about our group and although it will be tough it’s not impossible. It’s not just the Faroes, we can go into every game thinking we have a good chance of winning.”