Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough believes in-form Blackpool striker Shayne Lavery is only going to get better for club and country.
Lavery took his season tally for the Seasiders to six goals in 12 games with a superb volley in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Hull City,
The 22-year-old, who joined Blackpool from Irish League champions Linfield in the summer, currently boasts a prolific return of a goal every 61 minutes for the Championship club.
But Baraclough is confident there’s even more to come from the mobile forward who scored his first international goal in last month’s 4-1 World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania in Vilnius.
“For everybody, whether they are young and old (in our squad), they can learn from Shayne,” he said.
“I actually spoke to Josh Magennis about him yesterday and to see how he performed in September for us was brilliant for everyone.
“Shayne energises everyone and gets us up the pitch quicker. He has a lot of facets to his game he needs to work on and he knows that.
“But to have someone like him coming through is great for everybody. I think he is an inspiration for players in Northern Ireland who want to play across the water.”
Baraclough was particularly pleased to see Lavery’s winner against Barnsley at the weekend, a clever run rounded off by a clinical finish from a tight angle inside the area.
“I was so pleased to see his goal last weekend because it was a similar situation he will find himself in many times, one on one with the goalkeeper,” he said.
“He made a great run and produced a side footed finish with pace. He’s a striker who keeps coming back for more and to see that goal (against Barnsley) was great for me.
“It will lift his confidence and he has carried on his great form at Blackpool, which is great for the group.”
Northern Ireland face Switzerland, who lie three points above them in World Cup qualifying Group C, in Geneva on October 9, followed by a trip to Bulgaria three days later.
Italy are runaway leaders in the pool meaning Baraclough and his players are effectively in a three horse race with the Swiss and Bulgarians for second spot and a play-off berth.
