Burnley boss Owen Coyle believes goalscoring hero Chris McCann is already good enough to play in the Premiership.
The Ireland under 21 international netted the winner against Wolves at the weekend to keep alive Burnley's hopes of pushing into the play-offs and Coyle was delighted with the Dubliner.
Coyle said: "It was a terrific piece of football for the goal; a great cross from Wade Elliott and Chris McCann does what he does best, arriving in the box and it's a great finish.
"I've said before I think Chris McCann could step in and play in the Premier League tomorrow. Having worked with him, he's getting better all the time.
"He's one of a group of players we have that have shown they can stand toe-to-toe with the very best players that are going about."
The Dublin born midfielder has had a fractious relationship with Ireland u21 manager Don Givens, however with his exceptional club form for Burnley this season, a call-up to Giovanni Trapattoni's senior squad may be a distinct possibility.
In 2007 McCann opted out of the Irish U21 squad to play Bulgaria two hours prior to kick-off claiming he was wasting his time having been selected on the bench. An indication of how this may affect his future in the Irish set up was provided when U21 manager Don Givens was asked if he would pick him again and he replied "Will I pick him again? Would you?" Givens later apolgised adding "I take it back, its nice to see Chris developing into a player of true class"
