RORY McArdle hopes to roar Northern Ireland three points closer to an historic place in the European Championship finals this weekend – even if it will push his international chances further away.

The Green and White army can take a massive step towards qualifying for France by beating Group F leaders Romania in Belfast on Saturday.

Michael O’Neill’s men sit one point behind the visitors – and crucially four clear of third-placed Hungary, who also still have to travel to Northern Ireland.

With the top two automatically going through to next summer’s expanded 24-team showpiece, it represents the perfect chance for the Ulstermen to reach their first finals since the Mexico World Cup 29 years ago.

City player of the year McArdle is thrilled to see his adopted country in such a lofty position at the halfway stage.

But he also accepts that success comes at a price for his own ambitions of adding to his seven caps to date.

McArdle virtually swept the board at the Valley Parade prize awards after the best season of his career.

But with the Irish on such a flying run of form – winning four of their five qualifiers up to now – the dependable defender knows he will have to make do with a watching role.

McArdle said: “It’s always hard to change a team when they are winning and everyone is in form at the minute.

“From Michael’s point of view, he’ll probably just want to keep this squad together.

“Credit to the lads who are in there for getting the results, especially away from home where nobody really expected us to get any points.

“We’ve a couple of massive home games to come at Windsor Park and teams have seen what can happen there. Over the past ten years, Spain and England have both suffered.

“There’s no reason why we can’t push for maximum points and make that automatic qualification spot achievable.

“Maybe my form has nudged a few people but it’s coincided with the (international) team doing very well.

“The start to the Euro campaign has probably been as good as my season has been.”

McArdle fittingly clocked up a milestone on the final day of the campaign, City’s winning farewell at Crewe marking his 150th start for the club.

His consistency was acknowledged by the fans and team-mates alike with the shed-load of trophies at the end-of-season awards.

There was also the prestigious accolade of player of the month for December in League One; but so far no hint of a recall from Northern Ireland.

McArdle has not featured at all in the Euro qualifiers – his last appearance was off the bench in a goalless draw with Cyprus in Nicosia 15 months ago.

He remains realistic about his Northern Ireland chances.

“Hopefully the door is open but at the moment I’m enjoying my time here. I’m arguably playing the best football of my life.

“If the call-up comes, then I’ll obviously be over the moon. But it’s only likely to come if I’m playing well for my club.

“I was delighted to be named player of the year. It was the first time I’ve won anything, unless you count Sunday league football.

“I’ve never got anything like that at a professional level and it’s nice to put the trophies alongside the one for player of the month.

“Whenever the gaffer’s trying to get the best out of me, he speaks about being good at winning headers and making blocks. They are probably the things people don’t tend to notice so it was nice to get the awards.

“I know that as long as I keep doing my job and getting in the way of things, that’s what he wants. That keeps me in the team.

“John Terry is the prime example. He’s arguably been the top centre half in the Premier League over the last ten to 12 years.

“You look at clips of what he does. Without sounding too boring, all he does is defend – he clears the ball, he wins his headers and keeps the ball out of his net.

“That’s what you’re paid to do as a centre half and he does it at a really high and consistent level. That’s what I try to keep doing for Bradford.”

And maybe also make a few waves across the Irish Sea along the way.