Source: Team_Talk
McCourt revels in McGinn rivalry
McCourt replaced McGinn as a second-half substitute during Northern Ireland's 1-0 friendly defeat by Serbia on Saturday.[LNB]Those roles were reversed in Celtic's recent 3-0 win over Kilmarnock as the pair vie for a place in Tony Mowbray's midfield.[LNB]The younger McGinn followed McCourt from Derry City to Parkhead earlier this year and both struggled to make inroads on the first team last term.[LNB]But Mowbray has given both of them several opportunities and told them fellow wingers Aiden McGeady and Shaun Maloney are not automatic choices.[LNB]So McCourt believes he and his countryman can both carve out successful careers.[LNB]"I am 100% competing with him because we both play in the same position and we both came over from Derry," McCourt said.[LNB]"But we have got a great relationship, we are great friends off the park.[LNB]"When we go away with Celtic, we room together, and when we go away with Northern Ireland, we room together.[LNB]"So it's a friendly rivalry and we both push each other on.[LNB]"I just hope we both make a great career for ourselves, both with Celtic and Northern Ireland."[LNB]The 25-year-old added: "There are four of us, there's Aiden and Shaun as well.[LNB]"The manager said whoever is going to be on form out the four of us will play.[LNB]"It's definitely not just between me and Niall, there are four wide men and whoever is on form will get the nod."[LNB]McCourt made his international debut against Spain in 2002 as a teenager while playing for Rochdale, but won only his third cap against Serbia.[LNB]"It was nice to be back in the squad and I got a run-out this time so it was good," said McCourt.[LNB]"Serbia were a good side, they finished top of France's [World Cup qualifying] group. So it was a good experience for us and just nice to get a run-out again."[LNB]But McCourt is hopeful there will be many more caps to come as he continues to develop under Mowbray.[LNB]"I'm enjoying it, playing a lot more than I was last year," he said. "I think playing first-team football helps.[LNB]"I'm playing with better players. It's the first time in my career I've played with this standard of player, other than the odd international game.[LNB]"When you're working with good players day in, day out, it definitely helps."[LNB][LNB] Dundee Utd v Celtic. Click here to bet.
