Ruth: Ruairi represents the club's best values

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Shannon Ruth delighted to see his U21s captain make international debut.

Bruce Talbot

2024-11-21T11:40+00:00

Ruairi McConville made his full debut in a 2-2 draw with Luxembourg in the Nations League on Monday. 📷 by Northern Ireland FA.

U21s head coach Shannon Ruth has identified breaking into the first-team squad as Ruairi McConville’s next challenge at the end of a momentous week for the Academy defender.

The 19-year-old made his international debut for Northern Ireland in a 2-0 win over Belarus last Friday before starting Monday’s 2-2 draw against Luxembourg which sealed their promotion to the second tier of the Nations League. It is a remarkable achievement by our U21s captain, who has yet to play a senior game of club football.

“I can’t tell you how happy everyone was of Ruairi," said Ruth. "He's a nice guy and he's got the right head on his shoulders. He is really humble and an absolute team player who cares about everybody,” said Ruth.

“It was a really proud moment for him, his family and also for our academy, because he represents the value of Brighton & Hove Albion as a club so well.”

McConville was due to train with Fabian Hurzeler’s first-team squad in the build-up to Saturday’s game against Bournemouth. Hurzeler said, “I was very happy for the young lad because he works so hard.”

McConville suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of pre-season but, like Matt O’Riley, returned to action ahead of schedule. “I think that shows his level of professionalism,” added Ruth. “He’ll now be looking to hopefully break into the first team at some stage. He is certainly on Fabian's radar.

“After playing for Northern Ireland he was back in the training ground on his day off because he is learning Spanish at the moment and had a lesson with his teacher. If I’d asked him to play for the U21s on Wednesday against Reading I’m sure he would have, because that’s how professional he is.”