Glentoran legend Billy Caskey believes Conor McMenamin can nonetheless internet a giant transfer throughout the water on the age of 27.
McMenamin has been included in Ian Baraclough’s panel for this month’s Nations League double-header in opposition to Kosovo and Greece and the Glens favorite’s profile has been raised by worldwide recognition.
The previous Cliftonville ace has made three Northern Eire appearances and since his debut in Cyprus in June, the winger has proven he belongs on the large stage.
There was hypothesis a transfer might occur in the summertime however McMenamin has remained on the BetMcLean Oval, the place he has carried over his magical type into this season.
Offered an acceptable switch payment is tabled by an celebration, Glentoran will do enterprise in January, however the Downpatrick man may present the firepower the east Belfast facet must win the title.
Glens legend Caskey, who earned seven Northern Eire caps from 1978 to 1982, says McMenamin nonetheless has time to safe a glamour transfer.
“Conor has been performing very strongly and is a participant of actual high quality,” mentioned Caskey.
“He’s doing it for membership and nation and hopefully in some unspecified time in the future he can take his profession to the following degree throughout the water.
“I do know he’s 27 however on his day he’s among the best gamers within the League, and if he retains himself match he can have a protracted profession within the sport.
“I performed till I used to be 37 for the Glens. If he retains doing the suitable issues and a membership is prepared to take an opportunity on him then he might have a contemporary problem some other place.
“I believe Conor would do effectively at a Championship membership in England, and also you by no means know. He’s received appreciable expertise and he’s a match winner.”
McMenamin and his team-mates are centered on ending Northern Eire’s dismal Nations League run which has stretched to 14 matches with no win.
Again-to-back relegations are a risk after a summer time of poor outcomes and rising disillusionment amongst supporters.
Baraclough desires a shot on the Euro 2024 qualifiers subsequent yr however there may be vital stress on him and the gamers to get a optimistic end result in opposition to Kosovo at Windsor Park on Saturday forward of a trickier take a look at in Greece on Tuesday.
McMenamin has been one of many brilliant lights amid the gloom and Caskey is thrilled Baraclough is displaying religion within the Glentoran hero.
“The worldwide profile will assist him and you'll see golf equipment displaying curiosity,” added Caskey, who had spells at Derby County in England’s prime flight and Tulsa Roughnecks in a senior profession of over 18 years.
“I’ve little doubt that Conor is bold and, like several participant, he desires to play at as excessive a degree as he can.
“Possibly he's in his prime proper now however he has much more to present for Glentoran or one other facet if he does transfer on.
“It’s nice to see a world supervisor displaying religion in a prime Irish League participant and Conor has achieved effectively. His performances will appeal to consideration.”
One of many best ever gamers to drag on a Glentoran jersey, Caskey grasped 22 medals together with three Championships and 4 Irish Cups.
“The Glens began effectively final season and dropped off, so nobody will get carried away,” added the previous midfield warrior, who performed 440 video games for the Glens, scoring 110 objectives.
“You will get too cocky on this sport when issues are going effectively however hopefully that doesn’t occur.
“It’s about time the Glens received the League, they haven’t since 2009 and that’s a very long time. The boys are enjoying effectively on the minute and it’s nice to see, hopefully they'll maintain a problem this season.
“They appear to have an excellent squad and Mick (McDermott) and large Windy (Paul Millar) are getting them to carry out. I want them effectively, as I do with the worldwide staff. I like Shayne Lavery as effectively, he's an actual workforce and the sort of participant I like. It’s a troublesome time with gamers getting older and younger ones breaking by however hopefully we are able to problem for an additional main match.”
Baraclough, in the meantime, delivered an upbeat evaluation of his squad yesterday. All 24 members of his panel are match for the double-header.
“This can be a probability to proper a few of the wrongs from the outcomes that we had (in June),” he mentioned. “It’s a a lot stronger squad with a extra acquainted look.
“We wish to create probabilities and we wish to be a menace to the opposition, and we have now received the armoury within the squad to have the ability to go and do this.”
West Ham United Beneath-21 head coach Mark Robson has joined his backroom staff.
Robson’s CV consists of spells with England’s Beneath-19 and Beneath-21 squads and at membership degree with Peterborough and Barnet. His present function with the Hammers sees him working with Northern Eire improvement squad gamers Michael Forbes, Callum Marshall and Patrick Kelly.
“I performed with Mark at Notts County and since then he has developed into a really succesful coach who will deliver expertise and nous. We’re trying ahead to him attending to work,” mentioned Baraclough.