Everton boss David Moyes shares why international break agreement benefits his team

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Everton boss David Moyes has seen the majority of his playing squad earn some much-needed rest ahead of a busy festive fixture list as a result of the international break.

But even during the two-week spell of World Cup qualifiers, David Moyes has seen his Everton coaching staff venture into international football on their time off.

The likes of Seamus Coleman, Jake O’Brien, Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye have all featured for their countries over the past fortnight.

However, it’s his trusted assistant Alan Irvine who can also take something from the international break, having been a part of Steve Clarke’s Scotland coaching staff on a truly memorable few days for the Tartan Army.

David Moyes thinks Alan Irvine’s experiences can help Everton over the Premier League season

Everton appointed David Moyes in January, and brought Alan Irvine with him to the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Moyes had previously been Everton manager from 2002 until 2013, And Irvine – who had played for the Toffees in the 1980s – joined him in that period, working at Everton for three years until he took on managerial roles elsewhere in English football.

But now back in the system, Irvine had also been helping Scotland in their quest for World Cup qualification. And Moyes has backed the decision to do so, claiming that it can only help Everton out in the long run.

Ahead of Everton’s game against Manchester United, Moyes said: “Alan has been part of Scotland for a couple of years now.

“I’ve always liked my staff to be involved (with national teams) and if they get invited to do it because they come back with knowledge.

“They see players, get to know them, see how other teams play. In an international break, when there’s not much going on, it’s not too bad.

“But I’m thrilled for Alan, thrilled for Scotland, and for Steve as well, who’s done a really good job.”

Moyes will be thrilled that Scotland have qualified for the World Cup as a Glaswegian native himself – and it will be the first time this century that they will travel to the big world stage.

Alan Irvine could massively influence Everton’s transfer business in the summer

Alan Irvine’s expertise has helped Scotland to qualify for their first World Cup in 28 years – the same year that David Moyes started his managerial career at Preston North End in what is now known as League One.

Scotland needed to beat Denmark to qualify for the World Cup automatically, and despite strikes from Everton target Scott McTominay and Lawrence Shankland, it looked like they’d thrown it away with Denmark scoring a late equaliser.

However, Kieran Tierney’s stoppage-time strike was followed up by Kenny McLean’s halfway-line effort to send Hampden Park into delirium.

That will now see Irvine travel to the World Cup with the Tartan Army.

Everton defender Nathan Patterson may well be touted by his assistant manager to be a part of the 26-man squad, for which Everton would receive compensation for his services being in North America.

Furthermore, the Scottish assistant will be heavily involved in fixtures at the tournament – and any hidden gems he finds could work their way into Everton’s hands in the summer transfer market.