Leeds United fan's pride after announcing Stuart Dallas' place in Northern Ireland squad for EURO2021 play-off final

Dallas and his countrymen host Slovakia next Thursday with the chance to qualify for their second consecutive European Championships.

Northern Ireland announced their squad a little differently, with a social media video featuring members of the Green and White Army and Leeds fan Dean Irwin was delighted to be included.

The Portadown-based White has previously appeared in a video produced by the Northern Ireland media team to raise awareness about mental health, and was then treated to a surprise appearance in a Zoom call from Dallas.

"Andy, who does the media work for Northern Ireland, messaged me this week and asked would I be interested in doing a video announcing Dallas in the Northern Ireland squad and I said not a problem," Irwin told the YEP.

"It was a pleasure and an honour to announce Dallas in the squad."

READ: Marcelo Bielsa has never been so important to a group of football fans, as Leeds enters second lockdownIt was Dallas who scored the first spot-kick in Northern Ireland's penalty shoot-out win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off semi-final and that win sets up a game that Irwin believes is winnable.

"I am more confident about Slovakia game than I was about Bosnia, don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing though," he said.

"I think we will do it, we've got to the final, one game away from another major tournament and it's at home, plus if we make it, two of our group games next summer will be in Dublin, that'll also give the lads more incentive. It's just a pity there won't be 18,000 of the GAWA there to get behind them next Thursday night. I'm hoping to be there with my son if I'm lucky enough to get drawn out in the campaign card holders ballot."

Before he heads off on international duty Dallas and Leeds travel to London this weekend to face Crystal Palace, in the final Premier League outing before a two-week break. His place in the top flight is a source of pride for Northern Irish football fans and Whites like Irwin in particular.

"Massively proud of Dallas, what he has achieved in his career so far, where he has come from and where he is now," he said.

"To come form this wee country of ours and to go on to play in the Premier League, to play for your country and play at a major tournament is massive, I'm sure it's the dream for any footballer from here and Dallas is living the dream.

"He is such a humble lad though, very down to earth, grounded and a very likeable and generous guy. I have huge admiration and respect for him and always will, not only because he plays for Leeds and Northern Ireland and he gives 100 per cent every time, but also because of who he has been off the pitch for me as well."