Paddy Lane became Northern Ireland’s latest debutant when he started in Tuesday’s friendly defeat to Hungary at Windsor Park - following a similar path as Jamie Vardy from non-league to the international area.
The Fleetwood Town winger performed well at left wing-back in the 1-0 loss to earn praise from Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough. Lane was picked up by Northern Premier League side Hyde United in English football’s seventh tier when he was released by Blackburn as a kid.
He joined National League North outfit Farsley Celtic on loan during the pandemic last season before earning a move to Fleetwood in June, just like Vardy did in 2010 before he went on to become a star for Leicester and England.
Lane, 21, has established himself at Fleetwood, scoring five league goals this season, although Baraclough claimed he actually reminds him of Leeds ' Stuart Dallas rather than Vardy in physique and style as well as his journey.
Baraclough said: “I see a lot in him that we saw in Stuart Dallas when he left Crusaders to go to Brentford. Hopefully that’s not heaping a lot on his shoulders. But he has the same type of build, he’s got great athleticism, he’s decent on the ball and he has a really good head and calm personality to go and play the way he did. I hope that doesn’t put massive weight on his shoulders, but yeah, I do see a lot of similarities.”
Baraclough handed Lane his first call-up for the friendlies against Luxembourg and Hungary and says he earned his debut by impressing in training. He said: “Paddy, it was something I decided late Sunday night, Monday morning because the way he worked, the way he trained, the way he acquitted himself, he was ready. I think he’s shown that, no fear. Someone who has come from non-league football and risen very quickly to become an international footballer and he can be very proud of what he’s done. Now he has to kick on again.”
Baraclough spotted Lane, who was stacking shelves at Sainsbury's while playing non-league, at Farsley and interrupted his family holiday to Devon last summer to persuade him to snub Wales and the Republic of Ireland to come with Northern Ireland. The Halifax-born Lane is eligible for all three nations, as well as England, and Baraclough says a key part of his job is spotting young talent early.
Lane won six Under-21 caps, scoring one goal, last year before Baraclough promoted him to his senior panel. Barraclough added: “He went on loan to Farsley Celtic and he could have been playing for Wales and the Republic. We spoke to him early and that’s showing the work we’re trying to put in for the eligibility things. We’re trying to leave no stone unturned. It’s something we need to do.
“Paddy, when I spoke to him and his father, the summer last, I said I can see you coming into the Under-21s, come and join us, the pathway is there for you. He’s grasped it. I was on holiday with the kids down in Devon and I was talking to his father on the phone. He signed for Fleetwood, got in their team, scored five or six goals for them from a midfield area, right side of midfield, and he’s done really well.”
