Club loyalties were cast aside for national passion over the past week as the international break took precedence.

RALPH ELLIS shares the ten things he learned from the action.

1. Manchester United starlet Paddy McNair could follow Eric Dier's lead and get converted into a holding midfield man after successfully filling the role in two Northern Ireland games. The 20-year-old's four starts under Louis van Gaal this season have all been at either centre half or full back, where he has also played all his football for the Under 21 side. But he slotted so seamlessly into the middle of a three-man midfield against both Wales and Slovenia in a try-out ahead of Euro 2016 that manager Michael O'Neill suggested that might become his best position.

Manchester United defender Paddy McNair impressed in holding midfield for Northern Ireland

2. James Milner is a certainty to be in Roy Hodgson's squad for France but is under more and more pressure for a starting place. The Liverpool and former Manchester City star's big night at Wembley as England captain for the first time didn't go to plan. The 30-year-old's work rate was as high as ever but the normally tidy midfielder lost his team possession 17 times before getting subbed eight minutes from the end. No England player gave it away more.

James Milner lost England possession 17 times during their 2-1 friendly defeat by Holland on Tuesday night

3. Leicester have uncovered another cut price gem with the £3.8m signing of winger Demarai Gray from Birmingham. The teenager dazzled for England's Under 21s in Switzerland, setting up a goal for Chuba Akpom with a brilliant piece of skill and making five other chances. Gray has played little more than an hour's Premier League football in six appearances off the bench since his January move but has clearly learned from training alongside potential Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez.

Demarai Gray (left) tormented Switzerland Under 21s defence during their draw with England U21s

4. Arsenal have another penalty taking option in Mesut Ozil, who slotted away a spot-kick in Germany's 4-1 win over Italy. Oliver Giroud took over duties after Santi Cazorla's miss at West Brom earlier in the season cost the Gunners a point and has since scored away to Olympiakos in the Champions League and at Aston Villa. But with Danny Welbeck edging the Frenchman out of the starting line-up at the moment, Arsene Wenger might be glad to know he has back-up.

Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil scored a penalty during their emphatic 4-1 friendly win over Italy on Tuesday

5. Joe Allen will put himself in the shop window when he goes to France in the heart of the Wales midfield this summer. The pint sized Liverpool star doesn't seem to be part of Jurgen Klopp's plans after making only two Premier League starts since he took over at Anfield last October. But he was the star turn for Chris Coleman's side in their friendly against Ukraine in Kiev, making the most passes, setting up two chances and winning most duels.

Joe Allen (centre) shone in central midfield for Wales during their 1-0 defeat by Ukraine on Easter Monday

6. Gordon Strachan lifted Scotland's spirits with two wins in two games over the international weekend but still has a long way to go to lift the gloom after failing to qualify for France. The Scottish FA cut prices to as little as £10 for adults and half that for juniors for their friendly with Denmark, but still had just 18,385 rattling around in the 52,000 capacity Hamden Park.

Scotland's (right) win over Denmark was played in front of 18,385 fans at the 52,000 capacity Hamden Park

7. Even Luis Suarez has an occasional off night. He marked his return to international football with a goal in Uruguay's 2-2 draw in Brazil, but then failed to fire his country to the top of their World Cup qualifying group. They only needed a home win against Peru – who had lost 19 of 20 previous away games – but finished up drawing 0-0. The Barcelona striker had 44 goals from the same number of club games this season – but never got a sniff of a chance to keep his goal-a-game record going.

Luis Suarez cuts a frustrated figure during Uruguay's 0-0 2018 World Cup qualifying home draw against Peru

8. Tony Mowbray will be coming under increasing pressure at Coventry as his side's slump continued with a 1-0 home defeat to relegation haunted Colchester. The Sky Blues went top of League One in November after thrashing Gillingham 4-1, but have taken just 19 points from 21 games since. Jacob Murphy, on loan from Norwich, scored a hat-trick in that Gillingham game – but missed a penalty against Colchester by trying to dink it over the keeper.

Under-fire Coventry manager Tony Mowbray has seen his side take just 19 points from their last 21 matches

9. Everton have shown huge patience with Academy graduate Conor McAleny, who at 23 has still only played twice for their first team. The striker's promising career has been disrupted by an assortment of injuries including a broken leg but few Premier League clubs keep players beyond the age of 21 if they haven't broken through to offer some sort of Premier League promise. It might yet be worth the wait in McAleny's case. His goal that brought Wigan a 1-0 win over Rochdale to strengthen their League One promotion campaign was his third in seven appearances since joining on loan.

Wigan loanee Conor McAleny (right) wheels away in celebration after scoring against Rochdale on March 28