Paddy Lane’s omission from the current Northern Ireland team has been explained.
Boss Michael O’Neill has revealed that the Pompey winger turned down the chance to play against Spain and Andorra because ‘he felt he’d benefit from not being involved’. Lane’s absence from the 26-man squad that will go to Mallorca and Murcia for the friendlies next month was surprising given his participation in the Blues’ League One title win this season. The 23-year-old was a key member of the club that won the league title and earned promotion back to the Championship, with 12 goals and seven assists in 42 third-tier outings.
Lane got his first Northern Ireland cap in 19 months, starting the 1-1 draw against Romania in Bucharest in March. However, the Fratton favourite’s chances of adding to his four international caps in the future may potentially be jeopardised after opting out of games slated for June 8 and 11, respectively.
O’Neill revealed Lane’s opinion and the potential ramifications of that decision to the Belfast Telegraph, saying, ‘I only had one player, Paddy Lane, who stated he felt he’d gain from not being involved.
‘My response to it was, “Well, that will not serve you in the future because you need to commit to international football. You must be a member of the group, join the squad, and establish yourself there before attempting to join the team.” We are asking for that level of devotion from the players.
‘I just traveled to Belgium to witness Isaac Price (at Standard Liege), and he remarked, “I can’t wait to come and join up in June”. That is the mindset you want from players joining the squad.
Lane’s final game for Pompey was April 27, when he scored in the team’s season-ending triumph over Lincoln. Northern Ireland will face Spain on June 8, six weeks later. Meanwhile, it’s been more than eight weeks since the Blues secured promotion to the Championship with a victory over Barnsley on April 16.
That sparked Lane’s now-famous ‘Pompey promotion party,’ which included a nearly week-long vacation to Las Vegas by the Fratton Park first team to unwind after a stressful season.
According to O’Neill, readjusting both physically and mentally for international matches in June is something that all great players incorporate into their daily routines.
When asked about the demands placed on players, O’Neill responded: ‘I understand that – but if we were preparing to go to the Euro finals in Germany, we wouldn’t be discussing this, and that’s what I’ve been telling the players: “Ideally, you’ll be playing in June because you’re going to a major final.”
‘In June 2025, we’ll have two World Cup qualifying games, so we’ll need to be committed and comfortable playing.
“These are young lads, most of them – if Jonny Evans, Corry Evans, and Josh Magennis can come at their age, and look forward to coming…”Jonny Evans has over 100 caps, Corry has over 70, and Josh is close to that number. You only get the number if you show up; no one hands you it. There’s a lesson for every gamer.
‘The fact that they are in the squad means that the younger players have little to complain about and should look forward to these opportunities.
‘We’re asking them to play in a decent environment in a good camp, and the players are well-supervised.
‘As a footballer, international football has become an integral part of your life. You have to make.
Make sure you properly plan and cater for it.
‘Besides, we have some guys who haven’t played in a while. Take League One, which ended on April 29th, so if they didn’t make the playoffs, they got a break. It’s not like they don’t get a break; they’ve had one, so maybe they’ll come in refreshed and eager to do themselves justice.
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