Diarmuid O'Carroll hopes to see Caolan Boyd-Munce break into the Northern Ireland international set-up by continuing to excel for St Mirren.
The Buddies midfielder scored the game’s only goal in his side’s 1-0 Viaplay Cup last-16 victory over Motherwell, slamming the ball into the top corner from 25 yards to notch his first goal for the Paisley club in style.
Boyd-Munce has twice been called up to Michael O’Neill’s squad without being handed his international debut and O’Carroll wants to see the playmaker take the next step in his career.
“It’s brilliant for him, good for confidence and his family were watching,” the St Mirren assistant said of Boyd-Munce’s sensational winner.
“He hasn’t had that many first-team games. It was a massive day for him, just staying in the team because he made a little mistake last week.
“The gaffer stood by him because he’s a massive talent. He will get strong and I’m sure [Northern Ireland manager] Michael O’Neill will be watching him.
“Mark O’Hara is club captain and a big influence but Caolan has shown he’s more than capable of coming in. When Mark’s back fit there’s no reason why he can’t keep someone else out of the team.
“He got an international call-up in March and he will again if he keeps this up. He does things that make you stand up and say, ‘what a pass that was’ or ‘what a shot’ – like the goal. He just needs to keep working.
“He’s like a youth player in his development because he has only played 10 to 15 first-team games. [Northern Ireland assistant] Jimmy Nicholl was watching and I’m sure it will be a positive report going back to Michael.”
