Smith replaces injured Harvey-Clifford in NI squad

Kate Smith, a teen from Lisburn Rangers, has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for the upcoming Women’s Nations League games against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Smith, 18, will make his first senior international call-up in the wake of Maddy Harvey-Clifford’s injury-related resumption.

On Friday at 5:00 BST, Northern Ireland will host unbeaten group leaders Poland, followed by a trip to Zenica to face third-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later (18:00 BST).

Kate is a young player that we have been keeping an eye on for some time. She received a good workout when she first joined the squad for our final training camp, and she deserves to play in these two games, according to Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby.

Before making final preparations for the League B Group 1 match in Belfast, the Northern Ireland squad met at their training facility in Leicester on Monday.

Oxtoby continued, “It’s great to bring the players back together.” The place is in a positive mood.

To get ready for the games against two top-notch teams in Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, “we know we need to put the work in here over the next few days.”

The “Green and White Army” is a group of players who are all eager to participate, and we are aware of how crucial they can be in ensuring a positive performance.

With only two games left, Northern Ireland is three points clear of the Poles in their group.

Defenders: Abi Sweetlove (Linfield Women), Rebecca Holloway, Rebecca McKenna, and Ellie Mason (all Birmingham City Women), Laura Rafferty (Rangers Women), and Rachel Dugdale (Blackburn Rovers Women).

Louise McDaniel and Brenna McPartlan (both women from Burnley), Nadene Caldwell and Aimee Kerr (both women from Glentoran), Megan Bell (Hearts Women), Connie Scofield (Sheffield United Women, on loan from London City Lionesses), and Rachel Furness (Newcastle United Women) are the midfielders.