Preston North End star locks horns with star-studded France as Barnsley man scores first international goal
The Preston North End duo are in international action
Preston North End midfielder Ali McCann played an hour against a star-studded France on Monday evening.
Northern Ireland were beaten 3-1 in Lille as Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise scored a hat-trick. The hosts were two goals to the good when McCann made way on 62 minutes, for Swansea City man Ethan Galbraith.
Making his 35th appearance for his country, the midfielder lined up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembele, Aurélien Tchouaméni, William Saliba and Jules Koundé. It was Barnsley’s Patrick Kelly who scored for Northern Ireland.
Last Thursday, McCann was introduced from the bench as Michael O’Neill’s men edged Guinea, 1-0, in Spain. Having missed nine of PNE’s final ten games last season, the 26-year-old’s return to action will be welcomed by North End boss Paul Heckingbottom.
He is one of two Preston players to go away with their nations this month. Milutin Osmajic played 45 minutes against Bulgaria last Monday and then scored a brace in Slovakia, with 85 minutes managed last Friday.