Michael O'Neill believes the Irish League will always play a crucial role in developing future Northern Ireland players.
A number of young stars have made the leap into full-time football in recent years after plying their trade in the domestic Premiership.
Trai Hume earned his stripes with Ballymena United and Linfield before sealing a move to Sunderland, while Kofi Balmer played over 100 top flight games here before signing for Crystal Palace.
Read more: NI boss O'Neill in praise for Lyttle and McAuley following underage success
Conor McMenamin's stellar performances for Glentoran have also gained international recognition, with the 27-year-old having won four caps under Ian Baraclough this year.
"Conor has done very well. Clearly he is a player who is performing consistently high," said returning Northern Ireland boss O'Neill.
"Obviously the recent injury has stalled things.
"Watching the Irish League closely, and the age profile of the players, I always think full-time opportunities attract young players.
"Kofi Balmer, Trai Hume, that model of player is hugely important. Look back at Stuart Dallas, Niall McGinn...it is a huge part of where an international footballer comes from.
"There is no set pathway for it."
O'Neill also believes the introduction of full-time football in Northern Ireland is a boost for football here.
Linfield, Glentoran, Larne and Crusaders have all adopted professional set-ups in recent years, preparing players for life as a full-time career if they get the chance to move across the water.
"Certainly the Irish League and the money coming in is good. I have sympathy for some of the other clubs because you see a little bit of a gap appearing," O'Neill added.
"But the challenge is for those clubs to try and get to that level.
"But keeping young players back in Northern Ireland is not a bad thing. They have found that in the Republic of Ireland as well.
"Kofi Balmer has played over 100 games in the Irish League, and if he is not in Crystal Palace's first-team or around it, I believe he won't have a problem going out and dealing with a loan."
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