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.