Steve Beaglehole applauds Liam Boyce transfer

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Northern Ireland U21 manager Steve Beaglehole supports Liam Boyce's transfer from Cliftonville to Werder Bremen.

Liam Boyce will cap a whirlwind week by starting for Northern Ireland Under-21s in their European Championship qualifier against San Marino on Friday.

The striker has returned to the squad's base after securing a dream move from Cliftonville to Werder Bremen.

U-21 boss Steve Beaglehole applauded the player for moving to Germany.

"Not everyone of his age would do that and it is to his credit that he was keen to go. I'm delighted and it could be the making of him," said Beaglehole.

Boyce is due to join the Bundesliga club's Under-23 side in one of the most surprising transfers of the summer.

"I know one or two clubs in England were looking at Liam but nothing came of it," said Beaglehole.

"Liam will get a great football education in Bremen - they have invested in raw potential and he can be anything he wants to be.

"He is an old-fashioned centre forward, who does his best work in the box - he is physical, brave and can finish.

"What Liam needs to do now is build up his fitness but that should come naturally as he switches from part-time to full-time football."

Northern Ireland are playing for pride in the group and looking to complete a double over San Marino after failing to qualify.

Beaglehole added: "They sat in there in the last game and stayed on the halfway line. I expect the same again this time and we will have to break them down."