Jim Magilton has backed Cliftonville’s Irish Cup hero Ronan Hale to make an impression at international level for Northern Ireland.
The man who scored twice in the Reds’ famous 3-1 Cup Final win over Linfield is in the process of switching allegiances from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland.
Since his summer switch from Solitude to Ross County, Hale has bagged four goals in seven appearances for the Scottish Premiership side.
Talking to BelTel Football — Belfast Telegraph Sport’s new football podcast — Hale’s old Cliftonville boss said he has the class to shine on the international stage.
The former Northern Ireland star said: “There’s no doubt Ronan has the technical ability to play at international level. His technical ability is not in question. He is tactically aware and astute enough to play at that level, no doubt.
“He has to adapt quickly to the Scottish Premiership and play regularly if he wants to be in contention for the Northern Ireland squad. And so far he has been doing that.”
The 25-year-old Belfast man represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-19 level, but is now in the process of switching his allegiances back to Northern Ireland.
While he did not receive international clearance for this week’s double-header with Luxembourg and Bulgaria, it’s hoped he will be available for the rest of the Nations League campaign.
Magilton does not believe that Hale has to be a regular goalscorer in the Scottish Premiership to be selected, due to Michael O’Neill’s limited attacking options.
He said: “Does he necessarily need to be scoring goals regularly to be in the Northern Ireland squad? I’m not so sure.
“We haven’t had a prolific striker in a number of years and there are forwards in the squad who aren’t scoring regularly for their clubs.
“So if he is playing regularly and playing well for Ross County, that should be enough to get a call-up.
“It’s an ideal opportunity and location to make an impression, as Michael O’Neill (who lives in Edinburgh) will be able to go and watch him play.
“There’s no question in my mind he will be selected and get a chance for Northern Ireland. He just needs to play regularly at a higher level.”
Magilton said Hale’s Cup Final double proved his class, while also booking his place in Cliftonville folklore.
“Ronan’s first goal was something that we had worked on. We thought that if we could catch Linfield up the pitch we could counter them, which we did. The clinical nature of his finish was incredible, but it wasn’t a surprise because he did it so many times last season. He is a wonderful player.
“When he gets in those positions he is so calm. Even his second touch that set up the goal was perfection.
“And then his second goal is one of the most iconic goals you will ever see in a Cup Final. It’s now printed on T-shirts. That says it all.”
On this week’s edition of BelTel Football, the Cliftonville boss also discussed his controversial Solitude appointment, the impact of Larne’s qualification for the Europa Conference League on the Irish League and Northern Ireland’s forthcoming Nations League double-header with Luxembourg and Bulgaria.
You can find BelTel Football on www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport or by searching for ‘BelTel Football’ on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.