World Cup place 'would be everything to everyone' - that's the Northern Ireland message from dreamer Patrick Kelly

The boyhood fan back then, at such a tender young age, could not be expected to appreciate the ​artistry of a generational Spain squad featuring stars such as Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Xabi Alonso coming out on top against the physicality of the Netherlands to lift a first World Cup in the nation’s history.

Roll on the years, however, and 21-year-old Kelly admits he grabs every opportunity to study today’s stars – including extra time watching many of tonight’s Italy side at club level before the crunch international clash in Bergamo.

“I do watch a lot of football...probably 2010 with Spain v Netherlands is the first World Cup final I can remember,” said Kelly ahead of Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Italy under Michael O’Neill in pursuit of a Tuesday final. “Whenever there’s any game on I'll just try and watch so I do see a bit of Serie A when it's on Sundays.

“I watch most Irish League games whenever I can on Friday nights...I'm a big Coleraine fan so I hope they can do it (win the domestic Premiership).

“I didn't think 12, 18 months ago I'd be in this position so I'm really grateful to be here and have a chance at a World Cup, which would be everything to everyone involved in Northern Ireland and all the fans.

"It's a big opportunity...there's nerves and excitement, it's everything you dreamed of as a kid.

"It's just about taking it in my stride...I'm just grateful to be here first and foremost and, hopefully, I can have an effect on something positive for the group and, ideally, we can go and get a win.

"Whenever I was back playing at Coleraine (in the Irish League across 2021 and 2022), I wouldn't have thought of this and looked this far ahead.

"It's definitely all happened really quick and it's been a good couple of years for myself.

"I'm still young and I'm still learning, it'll be a really good experience.

“I was at Doncaster last year but a bit more in and out of the team there and then this year at Barnsley I've been a mainstay, which has been big for me, probably my first year doing that in men's football so just good on and off the pitch in terms of playing lots of games and learning about recovery and stuff.

“It's been a big season for me but one that's helped me break through in first-team football and it helps whenever you're coming away (with Northern Ireland).

“We're underdogs but I think Northern Ireland teams are probably used to being underdogs, so it's not really much of a change.

“It's a one-off game on the night...you have to respect Italy but then you have to get after them as well.

“We're definitely aware (of the build-up buzz), you see certain things, it's hard to avoid.

"There's obviously excitement going around and it's something I've been talking about with close friends and family and even some of the lads I'm close with here (in Northern Ireland) for the last couple of months about how amazing it would be if we could get to the World Cup."

Kelly may still only be four months on from his senior international debut but can count on around a decade of experience within the Northern Ireland programme.

"It's only the start for a lot of the lads around my age, we've got a good age group coming through and most of us played with each other from under 11s, under 12s, around the Club NI set-up,” said Kelly. “We all know each other really well and I think we've got a good chance at it for the next 10, 15 years to try and get to as many tournaments as possible.

"That was my first camp last time in November, I'd been on a training camp before but that was my first official camp.

“I was a bit nervous coming in...obviously it helps whenever you meet lads that you've known through the under 21s and the 19s.

"All the older lads were really welcoming into the group.

"My game improved massively from when I was first coming through at Coleraine, West Ham for a couple of years and then being on loan last year (at Doncaster).

"This year at Barnsley I've improved a lot, both on and off the pitch.

"I've had good managers to help me through the way...I spoke to Michael (O’Neill) in the summer before I decided I was joining Barnsley because I had a few other options and was debating staying at West Ham for another year.

"He advised me going to Barnsley, so that made my decision easier.

"I had Grant McCann (ex-Northern Ireland international) last year as my Doncaster manager, who talked to me quite a lot about pushing to get me in the Northern Ireland senior squad.

“Thankfully, I've been able to do that.

"Everything's happened really quickly for me in the last two, three, four years.

"I don't think I've really had time to sit back and think about it, to be honest.

"I never would have thought about it when I was 16 or 17 at Coleraine...still in school and just enjoying my football, I'm just taking each day as it comes.”