Devlin has chance to shine elsewhere as news emerges on Portsmouth ace
Terry Devlin has worked tirelessly this season in a Portsmouth shirt not only to benefit the club, but also mould his own future career.
This time last year, the young Northern Irishman was a central midfielder with potential who was on the periphery at Fratton Park.
Just 12 months later, he is a determined, versatile player who has impressed in the Championship at right-back, the middle of the park and even as a number 10, as shown in the tremendous Portsmouth win over Leeds United on Sunday.
Devlin receives huge news
Following the productive and impactful season Devlin has had at Portsmouth so far, resulting in an improved new deal until 2028, he has now received his first call-up to the Northern Ireland senior squad.
It is a moment the 21-year-old openly hoped would occur this month, with the following international break not coming until the summer.
Devlin has been listed as a defender by boss Michael O’Neill, and with the absence of Conor Bradley from the squad, there is a fair chance he makes his debut against either Switzerland (21 March) or Sweden (25 March).
Hoping to pull on the green shirt in a temporary switch from the blue to which he has become accustomed, Devlin has excelled when others have fallen by the wayside as Portsmouth adapt over the months to Championship level.
Everyone on the South Coast will be eagerly cheering on a player vastly anticipated to become a regular for his national side in years to come, citing his integral versatility.
Portsmouth on fire as Devlin expected in v Plymouth
Aside from the poor result at Luton Town to kick off March, Portsmouth have been on fire and that all came to its brightest blaze yet when they overcame leaders Leeds at the weekend.
Fratton Park is a consistently loud venue, but Sunday was another level as John Mousinho’s men put in a performance worthy of the entire city hearing the chimes.
Devlin didn’t start the game, but replaced the injured Adil Aouchiche as an attacking midfielder early in the second half, and got to grips with the momentum of the clash quickly and efficiently. As a result, he should start for Portsmouth against Plymouth Argyle this Wednesday, back in PO4.
| Terry Devlin – professional career | |
| Dungannon Swifts | 2019-2022 |
| Glentoran | 2022-2023 |
| PORTSMOUTH | 2023-present |
| NORTHERN IRELAND U21 | 2022-present |
It comes as yet another string to the bow of a finely developing young player, whose only experience of English football so far has been forcing his way into the Portsmouth team.
Devlin’s progress has been arguably the most rapid of all the Pompey squad, and he is set to become a key player for club and country for years to come.