Ryan McBride: Northern Ireland to pay tribute to Derry City captain vs Norway

A minute's applause will be held prior to Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier with Norway in Belfast this weekend as a tribute to Derry City skipper Ryan McBride.

The 27-year-old, who made more than 100 league appearances for his hometown club after making his debut in 2011, died on Sunday at his home having captained his club to a 4-0 victory over Drogheda United the day before.

Northern Ireland full-back Daniel Lafferty, called into the squad this week, was a club colleague of McBride while international boss Michael O'Neill was in charge of one of Derry's League of Ireland rivals Shamrock Rovers when he made his senior bow.

The Irish Football Association will commemorate McBride's death with a minute's applause prior to Sunday night's contest against Norway.

"It was shocking when I heard the news on Sunday night," O'Neill said.

"It was hard to believe and I believe it will be nice to remember Ryan with the gesture of a minute's applause before Sunday's game.

"I was still managing (Shamrock Rovers) in the League of Ireland when Ryan made his debut and you could see straight away he was a hometown boy playing for his hometown club.

"Derry have had a lot to deal with in the last few years and this is another big blow to the club. We all felt it here, particularly the likes of Daniel Lafferty, who played with Ryan at Derry."