Bayley McCann – the son of former Northern Ireland international Grant – admits scoring in a “stadium that means so much for me and my family” during Doncaster Rovers’ 2-0 win over Linfield was a special moment.

McCann is following in his father’s footsteps by forging a career in professional football and joined Grant’s Doncaster from Barnsley in January.

The 20-year-old grew up watching his dad play for Northern Ireland in Belfast – Grant earned 39 international caps between 2001 and 2012 – and has now gone on to represent the country himself, playing four times for Northern Ireland’s U21s.

League One outfit Doncaster enjoyed a pre-season tour to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland across the past week, playing friendlies against St Patrick’s Athletic, Glenavon and the Blues.

placeholder image — Grant McCann celebrates scoring on his home debut for Linfield against Ballymena United in January 2015. (Photo by Brian Little/Presseye)

Saturday’s visit to Windsor Park had extra significance for the McCanns with a host of family members present to watch Grant, who finished his playing career at Linfield after growing up supporting the club, and Bayley in action.

"It was really good,” Bayley told the club’s media channel after scoring. “I'm delighted to score in a stadium that means so much for me and my family.

"I'm buzzing as it's my first goal for the club and hopefully there's many more to come.

"I had a lot of family sitting in the crowd today so it's nice to score in front of them and have them here supporting me in general."

The McCanns are in an unfamiliar situation with a father managing his son and Grant was aware extra pressure would be placed on Bayley after his arrival at Rovers – but was confident he could handle it.

Bayley enjoyed a loan spell at Alfreton Town last season before returning to Doncaster and made two League One appearances.

“It’s going to be hard for him because I think people from the outside looking in will be thinking ‘he’s bringing his son in’,” Grant told the club’s website upon Bayley’s arrival. “He’ll show the reason why when he gets his opportunity.

"That’s up to him. It’s not up to me to judge him. It’s for the staff, the players and the supporters when they eventually see him, which will probably now be next season at some point.

“He’ll show what he’s all about. It’s not really for me here to try to sell it to anybody. It’s like any player that comes in - they’ve got to show the fans what they’re about and I have no doubt he’ll do that.

“We see Bayley in the bracket of a development player that can come in and make a real impact in this group in time. Bayley is progressing well."

A trip home gave Grant an opportunity to catch up with some former team-mates.

“Michael (O’Connor, Glenavon manager) has been a good friend of mine since we played together at Scunthorpe and we’ve stayed in touch,” said McCann after Thursday’s 5-0 win at Mourneview Park. “It was good to see him.

"It’s always good to go back to your hometown and the club I supported (Linfield).

"It’ll be great to see David (Healy), George McCartney and Jamie Mulgrew, who I played with at Linfield. He’s an absolute legend there and still playing at 39/40.

"They’re the biggest club and David is an unbelievable manager with what he has done with Linfield.”