Ryan McGivern's old boss says he'll shine
Ryan McGivern has been backed to become a major asset for Shrewsbury Town next season – and regain his place in the Northern Ireland squad.
The 26-year-old defender is one of six summer signings made by manager Micky Mellon as he bids to compete at the top end of League One after a season battling the drop.
McGivern, who joins Olly Lancashire, Gary Deegan, Louis Dodds, Antoni Sarcevic and AJ Leitch-Smith, can play left-back or in central defence and has been released by Port Vale after two seasons.
But Nigel Worthington, who gave McGivern his international debut and the majority of his 23 full Northern Ireland caps, believes the defender will have a big influence on the Salop team next season.
"Ryan is a very good left-back and has a nice left foot," said Worthington, who played with Town legend Nigel Pearson at Sheffield Wednesday.
"He also has a good presence height-wise and is very committed towards the team so they've got themselves a very good player.
"I gave him a lot of his caps and in all of those he never, ever let me down.
"He'll be a good asset to the team.
"If he gets the consistency needed back into his game, I can see him getting himself back into the Northern Ireland squad."
Worthington also reckons McGivern is the right character to fit in well at the Greenhous Meadow.
"He's always been a very good pro and I never had any issues with him at all," added the former Norwich manager.
"He'll go into the team and be a very positive influence in the dressing room."
