Armstrong: New anthem could keep kids in North

FORMER Northern Ireland star Gerry Armstrong believes the Irish FA should consider whether finding a new national anthem to replace God Save the Queen would stop Northern Ireland-born players switching their allegiance to the Republic.

Armstrong, capped 63 times, is the IFA’s elite player mentor and says the anthem issue has cropped up in recent conversations with prospective players from a nationalist background.

A number of Northern Ireland-born players such as James McClean, Dan Devine, Darron Gibson, Shane Duffy, Marc Wilson, Daniel Kearns and Paul George have declared for the Republic in recent times.