Results over romance for Northern Ireland’s Ian Baraclough

Promoted to senior level in June as Michael O’Neill’s replacement - thanks in part to significant progress with Northern Ireland under 21s - Baraclough opted for “tried and trusted” to introduce himself on the competitive international stage.

With September fixtures, respectively, away to Romania then home to Norway, Baraclough declared a goal to “hit the ground running” and reflected that ambition with a seasoned squad - with the notable exception of handing a first call-up to Joel Cooper.

“Joel has been on my radar since joining the Irish Football Association and was in my first squad with Northern Ireland under 21s, when I brought him off the bench that night in Estonia and he set up the winning goal,” said Baraclough. “He’s a character, someone not lacking in confidence but who can back that up with his playing ability.

“Joel can play in various positions, creates goals, scores goals and has kicked on in the last year-and-a-half to rightfully get his chance with Oxford United.

“I think he will flourish at that club and I think you will see him grow and grow.

“Hopefully, we can nurture him properly, he can apply himself right and with good senior players around him to help in this period then bringing Joel into the squad is the right time.

“It’s an opportunity for him and one I think he’ll grab.

“I know, having spoken to the Oxford staff, he has impressed them immensely, even better than the player they thought they were signing.

“He’s turned up in great shape and scored over the weekend in friendlies.

“Many of the Northern Ireland players know him as he travelled with the group, along with Paul Smyth, to EURO 2016.

“I’m looking forward to getting to work with him.

“The Nations League as a tournament is good for all international teams, we want to play competitive teams and there’s certainly something riding on it.

“The squad selected is a strong one, competitive, players who know what the international stage is about.

“It’s important we get off to a good start in the Nations League and I certainly want to hit the ground running.

“There’s some really good talent at under 21 level, plus the under 19s and under 17s, who have to show they are better than what’s in the senior squad.

“With the coronavirus pandemic and not too much competitive football for many of the lads we’ve gone with a senior squad tried and trusted at this level.

“There’s a pathway for the guys coming through and I’m looking forward to working with them in the future.”

Baraclough’s forward options include the contrasting contributions of Kyle Lafferty and Shayne Lavery.

“Kyle has settled in Italy with Reggina, I spoken to him several times and he is enjoying his early life there, training very hard in a lockdown camp being put through their paces,” said Baraclough. “Reggina got promoted last season (into Serie B), they want to go into Serie A and they see Kyle as a big striker down the middle that can help them - hopefully he can get back to those goalscoring exploits of the EURO 2016 qualifying.

“Shayne Lavery has started his season with Linfield in Europe.

“He is different to any of our other strikers, he puts defenders under massive pressure and can create half-chances from nowhere.

“He’s another I’ve worked with at the under 21s but he’s been among the senior squad so it’s nothing new.”

Northern Ireland tackle Romania on September 4 and Baraclough will then enjoy his home debut on September 7 at Belfast’s National Stadium, although both remain behind-closed-doors games.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Michael McGovern, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Trevor Carson, Jonny Evans, Craig Cathcart, Stuart Dallas, Shane Ferguson, Conor McLaughlin, Jamal Lewis, Michael Smith, Daniel Ballard, Steven Davis, Niall McGinn, Corry Evans, Paddy McNair, George Saville, Gavin Whyte, Jordan Jones, Jordan Thompson, Matthew Kennedy, Joel Cooper, Kyle Lafferty, Josh Magennis, Conor Washington, Liam Boyce, Shayne Lavery.

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