Ryan McGivern has been named in the Northern Ireland squad to face Hungary on Wednesday week because manager Nigel Worthington doesn’t want to punish him twice.
The Manchester City defender — who is currently on-loan with League Two side Morecambe — was sent-off on his debut against Scotland in August.
There are no laws governing red cards in friendies and Worthington has chosen — for the time being — to overlook the unwritten rule of making players miss the next non-competitive game.
“Ryan McGivern was always going to be in the squad,” said Worthington.
“I am not ignoring the agreement, I know it’s there, but we’ve got to think of ourselves.
“Should George McCartney or whoever not turn up for whatever reasons do we have alternatives? No, so if Ryan is there he will go in.
“Thats not to say that if all the others are fit he won’t get part of the game.
“Yes he got sent-off, but he has learned from that. Do I punish him? No.
“He is doing well at Morecambe. It’s better than playing reserve team football.”
Looks like he made it due to playing for us
