Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says that his national team have played a big role in Paddy McNair's recent upturn in fortunes, and that he believes the Middlesbrough midfielder is destined to play in the Premier League.

McNair endured a difficult debut campaign at Middlesbrough under Tony Pulis that saw him struggle for first-team opportunities last season, although he did continue to be a regular for Northern Ireland in that time.

This season however, McNair has been a consistent feature in Boro's side under new boss Jonathan Woodgate, something which both his club and country are now seeing the benefits of, with McNair firing in a first-half brace Northern Ireland's 3-2 friendly win over the Czech Republic on Monday night.

Speaking about McNair after that win, O'Neill appeared to suggest that the 24-year-old is starting to make for lost time from the past few years, as he was quoted by The Teesside Gazette as saying: "He's still a relatively young player and he is possibly now where he should have been two years ago if it wasn't for injury.

"He had a serious injury at Sunderland and it took him longer to get back then possibly he would have liked.

"He's had a difficult season last season at Middlesbrough where he wasn't an automatic player but this season that has changed, his club situation has changed and we're seeing the benefit of that."

Discussing the role Northern Ireland have had in his resurgence, and McNair's potential for the future, O'Neill added: "I think we played a bit part in the turnaround of his fortunes at club level because he was still an important player for us, but I'm delighted because he's a great boy, a great athletic player, a top player.

"When you look at what is required now to play at the highest level, whether it be the Premier League or international football, Paddy has all the attributes to do that."

Despite O'Neill's high expectations for McNair, it has been a difficult season for the midfielder and his club teammates so far this year, with a return of two wins from 11 league games leaving them 20th in the Championship standings ahead of their meeting with league leaders West Brom on Saturday afternoon.

The Verdict

I am inclined to agree with O'Neill here.

Not only was McNair struggling for game time last season, but when he was playing for Middlesbrough, it was in a less preferred defensive position, which is something that will not have helped his development as much.

The fact therefore that he continued to play for Northern Ireland in that time will have been a boost for him, giving him the opportunity to play a position that suits him better, while allowing him to focus on playing to a level that continued to earn him selection for his national side.

Having come through the ranks and even played for Manchester United's senior side, I don't think there can be any doubt that McNair has the potential required to eventually become a Premier League player again, and it does seem as though he is starting to show the ability he will need to do that as well.

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