- McConville is hoping to take Northern Ireland to their first World Cup in 40 years
- Northern Ireland travel to Italy on Thursday night for their play-off semi-final tie
- 20-year-old says he and teammates are “not going to let the opportunity pass them by”
Norwich City defender Ruairi McConville is just two games away from helping his national side, Northern Ireland, reach the World Cup in North America this summer.
The 20-year-old defender travels to Bergamo on Thursday night with his international teammates to face the four-time World Cup winners in the qualification play-off semi-final tie.
If Michael O’Neill’s side come out on top, they will travel to face the winners of Wales and Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the victor of that tie earning a place in Group B.
“World Cup opportunity”
“Yes, I can’t wait,” said McConville, speaking at a fan forum last month. Italy are historically one of the top, top nations, so to be able to get a chance to play against them is unbelievable. But we know we’re capable of going there and getting the result.
“Obviously, you have to look forward to the next game also and to be in a final if we do manage to get through. So, there’s an opportunity to go to the World Cup and it’s one that we’re not going to let pass us easily and we’re going to give it our all to try and achieve it.”
National success to replicate club success?
Since the appointment of Philippe Clement as Norwich City head coach, the 20-year-old has been one of the first names on the teamsheet and the go-to right-sided centre half. He was on the bench for Clement’s first game in charge, but has started every match bar two since.
McConville is hoping to replicate his club success with his country by making himself a mainstay in the Northern Ireland defence, and helping them qualify for their first World Cup in 40 years.
“Yes, of course. Thankfully, I’ve been given the opportunity to play on the international stage already. Now that I’m playing regularly, it’s a big hope for me to cement a place in that team, in that back line.
“I want to help the country go forward to achieve what we all want to achieve. And what we know, similar to here, we are more than capable of.”
