Ex-Sunderland man Paddy McNair hails ex-Black Cats defender as one of ‘Northern Ireland’s greatest players’

September 4, 2024 GG West Brom 0

Ex-Sunderland player Paddy McNair hailed ex-Black Cats defender as one of ‘Northern Ireland’s best players.

Ex-Sunderland man McNair hails Evans as one of 'NI's greatest players'

Former Sunderland defender Paddy McNair is on international duty alongside Black Cats pair Dan Ballard and Trai Hume.

Former Sunderland defender Paddy McNair was sorry to see ex-Black Cats player Jonny Evans retire from international football. Northern Ireland lost another seasoned player after Stuart Dallas and Steven Davis.

McNair spent two years at the Stadium of Light, signing on a four-year contract from Manchester United. A torn ACL cut short his rookie season, forcing him to miss 11 months. He returned to action after the club’s relegation in 2017, but left when the Black Cats were condemned to League One. He joined North East rivals Middlesbrough in a move worth up to £5 million.

Evans is also a famous figure among Sunderland supporters, having had two loan periods at the Stadium of Light between 2006 and 2008, totaling 35 games. McNair and Evans have played together multiple times for Northern Ireland, but the latter announced his retirement from international football this week, having earned 107 caps since his debut in 2006.

McNair remarked of Evans’ choice, “It’s disappointing.” He has had an amazing career and is a wonderful person. All Northern Ireland fans hoped he’d stay for another year or two, but I don’t believe Jonny owes anyone anything. He has nearly 100 caps and is considered one of Northern Ireland’s finest players.

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McNair and Exeter City striker Josh Magennis are the only two players in Northern Ireland’s current team who played at Euro 2016. A new crop of talents has emerged, including Sunderland’s Dan Ballard and Trai Hume. Ballard captained Michael O’Neill’s team throughout the summer, and McNair praised the new generation of young players ahead of this week’s Nations League matches against Luxembourg and Bulgaria.

“We have some great young players coming through and they need these games to continue improving,” McNair told reporters. “The two most recent seasons did not go as planned, but players such as Stuart Dallas, Steven Davis, and Jonny have also faced the frustration of unsuccessful campaigns. But when good times arrive, it’s much better if you’ve been through bad ones.”

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