Preston North End’s Conor McLaughlin, Jamie Douglas and Neil Dougan
(pictured) have all been called up for Northern Ireland U19 duty.
The trio of Youth team prospects have been called up by Northern Ireland boss Steve Beaglehole for an international double-header against Malta on Monday 14th and Wednesday 16th September.
The call-up follows Beaglehole’s warning that some of his current players will not wear the shirt again following last night’s disappointing 6–2 defeat to Iceland in a European Championship qualifier at Coleraine’s Showgrounds.
Northern Ireland were brushed aside by their Scandinavian opponents despite a double strike by Cardiff City’s Josh Magennis.
The Irish side was 4-0 down at half time, and Beaglehole commented:
“I could not believe it. It was a major shock to see what was unfolding in front of my eyes.”
“We had too many out there tonight that did not really want to do it. They wanted to play it their way, and not the way I wanted them to play.”
“They’ve had their chances, and if I get the chance to put that right I will. There won’t be too many of them who will play at Under-21 level again.”
Beaglehole will now be assessing his squad ahead of October’s European U19 Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria, Iceland and Bosnia.
McLaughlin has already enjoyed success for Northern Ireland at Youth level, he was a member of the side which won the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland during the summer.
