Johannes Hoff Thorup has said that Ruairi McConville’s chances at Norwich City will come in the future.
The Northern Irish international arrived at Carrow Road on deadline day in the winter transfer window from Brighton and Hove Albion. He has only made two substitute appearances for the club since joining.
Thorup Explains Decision
McConville made his senior debut for Albion in January, ironically against the club he would move to less than a month later. He has made cameo appearances against Stoke City and Bristol City.
Speaking to the Pink Un, the Danish manager explained why the 19-year-old has had limited game time since arriving. He said:
“It’s important for him to understand what the long-term plan is for him. So he’s not getting carried away by short-term decisions, because that’s not important for where he is now.
“But I think he’s definitely at his best out there in training. Also as a person, also around the group on game days in many ways, he’s doing his best. We like to have him here, and I think that also goes the other way round: he likes to be here. So his time will definitely come.”
Thorup has preferred to balance youth with experience at centre-back with Jose Cordoba often partnered with Shane Duffy in the position, as was the case against Bristol in their last game before the international break.
Writer’s View
Ruairi McConville is definitely a standout for the future and is certainly on the precipice of becoming a regular at Norwich City. He has already been handed international recognition by Northern Ireland with two appearances and is bound to make more in this international break. Shane Duffy is not getting any younger and whilst he has been a near ever-present for the Canaries this season, he will need someone to fill in over the next season or two and McConville can definitely be that. Bar an injury to their top options in defence, McConville’s first proper games at Carrow Road will likely come next season.
