NATIONS LEAGUE: NI's new star Paddy's ready for life in the fast Lane
Last updated 1st Jun 2022
Northern Ireland will begin four Nations League matches in the space of 10 days from tomorrow night.
Ian Baraclough's side take on Greece at Windsor Park (7.45pm), before two away matches in Cyprus and Kosovo on Sunday and Thursday respectively. The quarter of games finish up with a home clash against Cyprus on Sunday June 12th (2pm).
The quickfire run of games will go a long way to deciding if Northern Ireland can advance up the rankings in the Nations League and Baraclough - while missing a number of senior players - has drafted plenty of young talent into the squad.
One of those is Fleetwood Town wide man Paddy Lane.
Having impressed on his debut for the senior international side in the March friendly defeat at home to Hungary, Lane is expected to start again tomorrow night.
It comes off the back of a fantastic individual season for his club.
Lane on the EFL League One Young Player of the Year award and was also voted Player of the Year by the Fleetwood fans. The 21-year-old is looking forward to furthering his international career.
"When I got told a couple of weeks ago that I was in the international squad again, it was an unbelievable feeling to say to my family that I was coming away with the Senior. But the hard work starts now and I'm looking forward to the four games," says the Halifax native.
"You can see there's a clear pathway coming though and it's great for everyone in the squad to know there a good chance for you here."
On his fine season for his club, where Lane notched five goals in 37 appearances for the Cod Army, he's hoping to continue the run of form that has propelled him into the senior set-up.
"It's a season I'll remember for the rest of my life. I have to keep working hard to continue that run of form now."
As he heads into the upcoming four games, Lane says the mood is good.
"Everyone is confident. We know we've got the talent there, we know we've got the platers there to get result out of these net four games."