Sunderland's Trai Hume was 'fearless' on his international debut - with Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough describing the youngster's progress from Irish League to a senior cap as 'brilliant'. Hume has progressed through the age groups with Northern Ireland and was included in the full squad for the first time this month, with the defender making his debut as a late substitute on Tuesday night in a narrow friendly defeat against Hungary at Windsor Park and he came close to marking the occasion with a goal.
The 20-year-old moved to Sunderland from Irish League side Linfield in January and has started two League One games so far, but his call-up shows that his development is being closely monitored by Baraclough. And the Northern Ireland coach likened Hume's debut to that of young Liverpool defender Conor Bradley, who made his debut in May last year.
"Trai was fearless," said Baraclough. "It was almost like another Conor Bradley when he first came in. No fear and he went at his man. He also managed to get on the end of a cross and the keeper had to parry one out. I also enjoyed it when he was in possession as well.
"Trai came on with ten minutes left and it's difficult to get into a game never mind make your debut, but he's gone at the full-back, got a cross in and got on the end of something at the back post."
Hume replaced Arsenal defender Daniel Ballard - who is currently on loan at Championship side Millwall - for the final seven minutes of the match. Baraclough said: "I think it took Trai by surprise because when I looked back at the subs, he still had all his warm gear on!
"I don't think he was expecting to get on. I pointed at him and he went 'me?' I was like 'come on'. I just said to him 'be confident' and 'be proactive'. I didn't have any preconceived ideas to get Trai off the bench, but for a young player making his debut, where three months ago he was playing Irish League football - brilliant."
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