McCourt likely to get NI recall

Pat McCourt got a dream move to Scottish Premier champions Celtic

Nigel Worthington has hinted that new Celtic signing Pat McCourt will be in Northern Ireland's squad for the 20 August friendly against Scotland.

The skilful midfielder moved from Eircom League club Derry City to the SPL champions in June.

"Hopefully Pat will have a good pre-season. We will take it from there and see what happens when the squad is announced," said the NI manager.

"Celtic are a big club and we are keeping a close eye on him."

McCourt has won just one cap for Northern Ireland, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Spain in 2002 while he was with Rochdale.

Worthington is confident the move to Scotland will boost the 24-year-old winger's international prospects.

"I am always delighted when players get to move across the water," added Worthington.

"It means they are training every day and training with the best players. He will become a better player because of that."

Northern Ireland play Scotland at Hampden in a warm-up for the World Cup qualifying campaign which starts on 6 September away to Slovakia.