Northern Ireland v USA

Words Darren Fullerton Daily Mirror

MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNIT

Northern Ireland new boy Ali McCann is loving life as a ‘saint and scholar’ as he targets more highlights with club and country in 2021.

“It has gone in so quickly,” said the twice- capped midfielder, who only celebrated his 21st birthday in December. “If someone had told me three years ago that I’d have two caps, won the Betfred Cup and played 75 times for St Johnstone by the age of 21, I wouldn’t have believed them. “I’d have told them ‘you’re mad’. It’s incredible, but my aim has always been to make the most of every opportunity I get and keep progressing as a player.”

The talented St Johnstone midfielder proved he’s a quick learner with a bright international debut against Austria in Vienna in November. And he graduated with major honours at Hampden Park last month after helping the Saints lift the Betfred League Cup for the first time ever with a 1-0 win over Livingston. It has been a whirlwind few months for McCann, who has made 76 appearances for St Johnstone since making his debut as a teenager under former boss Tommy Wright in 2018.

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