Schurrle backs McGovern for Premier League

24 June 2016 11:53

McGovern produced a string of spectacular saves against Germany and was the main reason the World Champions could only win 1-0.

And the performance could not have been better timed from a personal point of view for McGovern too as he is now a free agent following his release by Hamilton Academical.

And Schurrle, who has come off the bench in each of Germany's three group matches, sees a future for the Northern Irishman in the English top tier.

"I didn't know too much about him before but he played amazing, as did the Northern Ireland team," admitted the 25-year-old, who spent two years at Chelsea.

"Of course, I think so [McGovern coping with Premier League standards]. When you come here and play on a stage like this and play great against the World champions, then you can play anywhere.

"We created at least six great chances and he did a great job with all of them."

Northern Ireland scraped through to the last 16 on goal difference thanks to the heroics of shot-stopper McGovern.

Germany dominated large portions of the game, having 79 per cent of the possession and taking the lead after 29 minutes through Mario Gomez.

But last-ditch defending and brilliant reflexes from McGovern meant the Germans failed to add to their lead and Northern Ireland lived to fight another day.

"Teams like Northern Ireland deserve to qualify and you can see how difficult it was for us to play against them," added Schurrle.

"We were always confident but at 1-0 you always worry. To be honest, I have never experienced something like this with the Northern Ireland fans. There was a period when, on the bench. You weren't looking at the game you were just looking at the chanting Northern Ireland fans."

Source: Sportsbeat