Focus on wing-back, O'Neill tells McNair.

Byline: DOMINIC SHAW [email protected] @DOMSHAWGAZETTE

PADDY McNair has the attributes to be a top wing-back but has to get his head around the fact that could be his position, says Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill.

McNair's versatility has seen him play at full-back, centre-half, holding midfield and as a No.10 for club and country in recent years.

The former Manchester United man has made no secret of the fact he thinks he's at his best in midfield. But his national team boss O'Neill thinks McNair needs to embrace the idea of being a right-back or wingback - and he thinks the Boro man has the skillset to be a top player in that position.

McNair was used as a wing-back in the recent international victory over Israel, putting in a performance described by the Northern Irish press as "stirring".

At Boro, meanwhile, McNair has endured something of a frustrating first few months on Teesside and has been on the fringes so far.

McNair impressed boss Tony Pulis with his displays in midfield for Sunderland at the back end of last season but Boro are stacked in that area of the pitch and recent signs suggest Pulis too could use McNair more as a wing-back.

The 23-year-old started in that position in the Carabao Cup win over Preston last week and was also used as a wing-back in the final stages of the win over Ipswich in midweek, when Pulis tinkered with the system to see the game out and moved Ryan Shotton inside to centre-half.

O'Neill has challenged McNair to force his way into the Boro XI on a regular basis. And to seize the opportunity of making the wingback spot his own for the national side.

"I had a good conversation with Paddy before the Israel game and told him where I was going to play him," the Northern Ireland boss told the Belfast Telegraph.

"Paddy is a player I like to have in the team, but with the shape of the midfield he needs to get into the team ahead of Steven Davis, which is a big ask.

"He has to get his mind around to thinking that right-back or wingback could be his position. Against Israel he was superb.

"That's what we want: Paddy driving

CAPTION(S):

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill

Paddy McNair has yet to find a settled position at Boro

Michael O'Neill praised Paddy McNair's performance against Israel