Sunderland youngster George McCartney is set to make his debut for Northern Ireland against Iceland tomorrow. McCartney has been handed his big chance at centre-half because of Colin Murdock's one-match ban. Manager Sammy McIlroy has closely followed McCartney's progress with Sunderland over the last 18 months and he is convinced the 20-year-old is going to make a big impact.
"I've watched his progress with Sunderland - and Peter Reid rates him very, very highly. That's a good sign. Peter Reid wouldn't have him anywhere near the Sunderland side in front of 50,000 fans if he didn't have the quality," said McIlroy.
McIlroy believes McCartney's Premiership experience with Sunderland will help him move up to international level. "He's a player. His temperament is first class. He's had experience, even though it's not a lot of experience, with Sunderland. He's played in big games. He's played this season against Fulham and he's also played this position. I've been dying to give the boy his debut and I've been waiting to see when the time is right," he said.
McIlroy has only made one change to the side which earned a fine 1-1 draw with Denmark in Copenhagen on Saturday. He insisted that Northern Ireland are the underdogs and claimed that he was not surprised by Iceland's unlikely 3-1 win over the Czech Republic. "They are the favourites, no doubt about that when you beat the Czech Republic - and they did convincingly. We weren't shocked by that result at all because we know they are a very good side," he said.
Iceland coach Atli Edvaldsson has acknowledged that his side must win to keep their hopes alive. Saturday's victory has given Iceland a chance of qualifying for the 2002 finals. They are fourth in Group Three, four points behind leaders Bulgaria. "We now have a chance in our World Cup qualifying group and to do that we must win here. We will be going for the three points against the Irish," said Edvaldsson.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Under 21 team has been beaten 3-1 by Iceland Under 21s in tonight's European Championship qualifier at Mourneview Park. Grant McCann put the North in the lead before Hartlepool defender Gordon Simms put through his own net in the second half. Baldur Adalsteinsson and Veigar Pall Gunnarsson secured victory for Iceland.
Teams:
Northern Ireland (probable, 4-5-1): Taylor; Kennedy, McCartney, A Hughes, Griffin; Horlock, M Hughes, Magilton, Mulryne, Gillespie; Healy.
Iceland (probable, 4-3-3): Arason; Hreidarsson, Helgason, Vidarsson, Sverrisson; Gretarsson, Marteinsson, Gudjonsson; Sigthorsson, Sigurdsson, Gudjohnsen.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
