John Schofield believes opportunity knocks for Northern Ireland's emerging young stars.
Three of Schofield's Under 21 squad have been promoted to Ian Baraclough's senior panel for friendlies against Luxembourg and Hungary.
Trai Hume, Paddy Lane and Caolan Boyd-Munce are the latest talented youngsters to roll off the conveyor belt of underage talent.
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And while the trio's promotion has robbed Schofield of three experienced players for Friday's Under 21 Euro qualifier in Slovakia, he is delighted to see them earn their promotion.
"I think it is fantastic news," the Under 21 boss said.
"From a younger age group coach, all the things you say to the young men about performing at their clubs and when they are in camp, the way they present themselves.
"To see three lads go up in one hit, as has happened, is brilliant.
"It really sets our camp off on a great footing and the three lads who have gone up thoroughly deserve it for their efforts and commitment, and their approach to international football."
He added: "It tells the other young players that there are opportunities.
"A lot of development groups at football clubs speak about pathways etc. We speak about them as well. The pathways have to be followed and there are no blockages.
"If you are good enough you will get selected, and it's not just these three lads who have gone up. We have had lads previously who got promoted to the senior squad so it is more like a motorway than a pathway."
Schofield's Under 21s are back in Euro qualifying action on Friday when they take on Slovakia in Zilina (3pm kick-off UK time).
They currently sit fifth in Group C, a pool that also includes Russia who Northern Ireland were due to play next week.
That game was cancelled following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and now replaced with a friendly against France
Despite some uncertainty over future fixtures in Group C, Schofield says his only focus is on Northern Ireland's results in their remaining games.
"The qualification process isn't muddled for us. We have a number of games left and our focus is on getting as many points as we can. And what will be, will be," he said.
"Whatever happens with Russia, we have no control over that. So it is irrelevant me commenting on it, saying it should be this or that.
"We have games left, and we will try and get as many points as we can. Then whatever happens after that, happens.
"We can't control that."
Schofield added: "Whatever happens with Russia will happen.
"If they don't continue in the qualification process, then we are in the position where it is in our hands to a certain extent.
"All we can do is try and win the games we have left, and if we do then we have a good chance.
'That's what puts Friday's game into context. If we get a positive result then it opens up the competition again."
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