Caolan held his own with Irish boys who will cost millions

O'Carroll tips Buddies ace to join likes of Bradley on the big stage

- ANDY NEWPORT

ST MIRREN coach Diarmuid O'Carroll reckons a Northern Ireland cap is in the post for Caolan Boyd-Munce.

And he has backed the Buddies ace to deliver on his promising club displays and establish himself as one of the Premiership's top performers as well.

O'Carroll who doubles up on his duties in Paisley with a role assisting Norn Iron manager Michael O'Neill was with Boyd-Munce last week as was called up for friendly duty against Romania and Scotland.

Unfortunately for the former Birmingham and Middlesbrough midfielder, the closest he got to fulfilling his dreams of international action was a seat on the bench.

But O'Carroll saw enough during their week in camp to be convinced Boyd-Munce can join the likes of Liverpool prospect Conor Bradley to form Northern Ireland's next generation of stars.

He said: "I'm sure Caolan was disappointed not to get on in the two games but he was different class.