Northern Ireland vs Switzerland (21/03/2025)

PADDY McNAIR AIMING TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE

While he is enjoying life in the Golden State, he expects to make regular visits home to play for his country. “I would never have gone to the States if it was going to jeopardise playing for Northern Ireland,” he insisted. And he doesn’t remember much about the flight which brought him from Los Angeles to Dublin direct on his first trip home to play international football. “I pretty much slept the whole way,” he joked. He is raring to go on the international stage once again, after missing the UEFA Nations League C3 run-in due to injury, and is looking forward to this month’s double header. McNair, who turns 30 next month, is one of the elder statesmen in the squad chosen for the games against the Swiss and the Swedes. And he is the only player from the Euro 2016 squad to be part of Michael O’Neill’s panel in this international window, although Josh Magennis is on the standby list. The defender said: “Being an elder statesman in the group is not something I have really thought about. I have always tried to do the right things and lead by example rather than be vocal. “I just be myself. I am happy to help any of the younger players if they are seeking advice.” McNair says winning UNL League C Group 3 back in the autumn has given the squad a real boost. He pointed out: “It was a really good campaign and just what this group of players needed. When the changes in the squad initially happened it was tough, but that’s normal. “However, things clicked for us in the Nations League. I believe the squad is getting better with each trip.” The experienced defender believes the games against Switzerland and Sweden will be tough tests. But he added: “There are not too many friendlies these days so these games will provide players with an opportunity to show Michael what they can do.” The defender also insisted he will play for his country as long as he can. Long trips from West Coast to East Coast and long flights across the vast Atlantic Ocean will definitely not prevent him from doing so!

Last summer the 29-year-old penned a three-year contract with MLS side San Diego FC before being immediately loaned out to EFL Championship side West Bromwich Albion at the start of this season. His stay at the Hawthorns was marred by a hamstring injury which kept him out for eight weeks. However, since switching to his parent club in the US in January, he has made a full recovery and is now a key member of a brand new team competing in the Western Conference of Major League Soccer. “My new surroundings are brilliant and I am really enjoying it,” he said. San Diego FC, who were only established in 2023 after securing an MLS franchise as an expansion team, played their first MLS game on 24 February. They registered a fine 2-0 win away against LA Galaxy in their debut match and McNair was in the back four on the historic occasion. And he was calling the shots in the defence once again when San Diego followed it up with a home goalless draw against St Louis. Since then they have enjoyed a 3-1 away win against Real Salt Lake and a home 1-1 draw against Columbus. “We have had a good start. It’s a tough league with a lot of really good players,” said McNair. The defender, who has scored seven goals in 73 senior appearances for his country, and weighed in with six assists, admitted his new team-mates sometimes find it hard to understand his accent, but he has settled in well in the dressing room, the city and the state of California. San Diego are playing their home games at Snapdragon Stadium, a 35,000-seat venue owned by San Diego State University. The team’s first home MLS game against St Louis attracted 34,506 fans, the largest crowd for a sporting event in Snapdragon’s history. McNair is impressed by the already massive fan base. There’s a strong and vibrant Mexican following for the club as San Diego is close to the border. In fact it’s just 17 miles from downtown to the Mexican state of Baja California.

IRISHFA.COM

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