‘No doubting’ teenager Smith’s talent – Oxtoby

Tanya Oxtoby, manager of Northern Ireland, describes the inclusion of 16-year-old goalkeeper Abbie Smith in her squad for the upcoming Nations League games against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina as “really exciting.”

Smith, who joined Manchester City on a two-year scholarship from the Crusaders Strikers in March, has been named in the senior squad for the first time.

After impressing the NI boss, the teenager joined the squad for training last month, and he is now officially a member of the panel.

Before the final two games, Northern Ireland is second in Group B, four points clear of the table-topping Poles.

On Friday, May 30th, they will face the unbeaten group leaders at Seaview in Belfast, followed by a trip to Zenica on June 3rd when third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina will face them there.

“Abbie came in and she was seamless in terms of training intensity, being in and around the group, and the maturity she displayed,” Oxtoby said.

“She had no doubts about her talent, which was really impressive. The main question to ask when evaluating the younger players entering is “are they ready for that senior environment”?

Aimee Kerr, Abi Sweetlove, Keri Halliday, and Kascie Weir are just a few of the young players Oxtoby has coached in recent squads.

They all contribute significantly and perform exceptionally well. They enhance our group significantly,” she continued.

Were they prepared from both a cultural and emotional standpoints, but we know what their ability says they are? Some of the things we need to know about are difficult for young players to enter.

Oxtoby claims that an important aspect of experience is being retained in the squad by all-time best scorer Rachel Furness, who was selected for the team’s debut game against Romania last month for the first time in 18 months.

She has been playing very well for her club, Newcastle United, and she has benefited significantly from the experience, versatility, and confidence that she brought with her, Oxtoby said.

Furny will enter the group and will help it succeed, regardless of whether she receives minutes or not, given her experience and professional values.