'An exciting young talent' - Meet NI's new recruit

It took him a few attempts to get hold of her, but Michael McArdle knew it would be worth the wait for Emily Cassap.

When the teenager got off the training pitch and back to her phone, she discovered she had been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time.

For manager McArdle, they are the best phone calls to make.

A former England youth international, Sunderland midfielder Cassap is in line to make her senior Northern Ireland debut in June's World Cup qualifiers with Turkey and Switzerland.

The 19-year-old switched her international allegiance earlier this year and was involved with Gail Redmond's Northern Ireland Under-19s, where she impressed in a short space of time.

"Emily has made strong progress with Sunderland and then Middlesbrough [where she spent the second half of the season on loan]," McArdle said.

"She has worked under Gail with the Under-19s where she was one of the standout performers.

"We have known her for a good period of time and we look at her with excitement.

"We see her potential and has earned that recognition."

Cassap arrives in Northern Ireland's senior squad with a strong pedigree.

In 2024 she helped England to the final of the Under-17 Euros and the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

After breaking into Sunderland's first team as a 16-year-old, she signed her first professional contract with the club two years ago, and she got more senior experience with Middlesbrough in the second half of the season in the third tier.

While Cassap is used to playing in the centre of midfield, where Northern Ireland have traditionally played three players, she can also operate out wide in the wing back role.

Her versatility is another aspect to her game that can help her grow on the international stage.

"When they are young it is great as that versatility gives them opportunity," McArdle added.

"As they transition into senior football they want to master certain aspects and roles.

"It's great to have that versatility, but what we see in Emily is an exciting young talent who reads the game very well.

"She is predominately a central midfielder, but that versatility to play as a wing back on the left-hand side gives her the opportunity for other roles."

While McArdle has handed opportunities to the likes of Cassap and Linfield striker Cora Chambers in his short tenure to date, his predecessor Tanya Oxtoby gave the likes of Aimee Kerr, Mia Moore and Kascie Weir their first senior minutes on the international stage.

Of his squad for the two qualifiers, 16 of the 23 selected players are under the age of 25.

The Scot said it was "an opportunity to invest" in the long-term development of the squad, but said "you have to find that balance" between youth and experience.

He also praised the work of Redmond and Danielle McDowell-Tuffey for their role in the pathway of underage football in Northern Ireland with the Irish FA.

"Emily has got exciting potential with both club and country," he said.

"It is another recognition to the pathway that Gail and Danielle and all the staff do that one of the young talents is breaking through again."