MICHAEL Obafemi made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland away to a Denmark side including his Saints teammate Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg tonight.

The 18 year-old came on for the last ten minutes of the goalless draw in Aarhus as a replacement for Callum O’Dowda.

He became Ireland’s seventh youngest player and their first to be born in the 21st century when Martin O’Neill introduced him at the end of the Nations League dead rubber.

Obafemi could have chosen to play for Nigeria, but opted to represent the country of his birth.

Both sides made changes, with Hojbjerg playing the full 90 minutes on his 23rd international appearance.

Unbeaten Denmark had already secured promotion and topped group four of League B with eight points, while Ireland were already relegated.

Discussing Obafemi before the game, Ireland captain Seamus Coleman said: “Michael has been great. He is a strong boy and he scored a few fine finishes in training and he has bene great around the camp.

“The proudest thing growing up that I have ever done is to put on that green shirt.

“You cannot just hand out caps, not just Michael in particular.

“Michael has done great but it cannot be a case of going ‘right, we’ll give you a game so you stay with us’.

“If the lad wants to stay with us, then great but you cannot just be handing out international caps. It’s the best feeling in the world but you have got to earn it.”