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Gareth Fullerton

Northern Ireland boss Kenny Shiels urges "massive underdogs" to seize the moment at Euro 2022

Northern Ireland boss Kenny Shiels has urged his "massive underdogs" to seize the moment when they compete in next month's Euro finals.

Shiels announced his 23-player squad for the finals on Monday ahead of crunch group games against Norway, Austria and hosts England.

It will be a baptism of fire for Northern Ireland as they prepare to play in their first-ever major tournament, with Shiels opting for plenty of experience in his panel including defenders Julie Nelson and Ashley Hutton who have a combined 239 caps between them.
Skipper Marissa Callaghan has also been included despite struggling with a toe injury.

Read more: Glenavon issue statement after Danny Purkis joins Glentoran

Shiels said: "We are not going to make up the numbers. Our first priority is to try and win a game – we have three games, and if we win two of them then more or likely we will reach the quarter-finals.

"But when you look at the opposition, winning one game will be very tough. It is not beyond the realms of possibility but we are massive underdogs.

"We will try and win the first game (against Norway), and if we don't win that then we will try and win the next one.

"I will speak with them about these three big matches and I will say: ‘Don’t miss it, enjoy it’. This is not something that will make or break us.

"As long as we give our best and are totally committed to representing our country, then we can walk away with our heads held high."

With the spotlight firmly fixated on the Euros this summer, Shiels admits he doesn't know how his squad will handle the hype and pressure.

Asked what his final message will be to his players ahead of their opening game against Norway on July 7, Shiels said: "The next two weeks of your lives will be these three matches. Don't miss it.

"If you start to worry about not playing well, you won't play well. We have to relay the message that this is something that won't make or break us.

"We will go out and give our best, and if we do that and are totally committed to do something to represent Northern Ireland, then that's what is important, not the result of the match.

"All I want them to do is try to be their best, and if they do that then we can walk away with their heads held high. If we are beaten, so be it."

Shiels believes all the pressure will be on group rivals and host nation England at this summer's Euros, with many pundits expecting Sarina Wiegman's side to win on home soil.

Shiels said: "If we are England and need to win against Northern Ireland in our final game, that's pressure," Shiels said.

"English journalists think they have won it already, and maybe they are right."

And with trademark wit, Shiels joked: "But we are quite close in what we have achieved. In 54 years we haven't won anything, and neither have England.

"So we are quite similar."

NI SQUAD

Goalkeepers : Jackie Burns (BK Hacken), Becky Flaherty (Brighouse Town), Shannon Turner (Wolverhampton Wanderers Women).

Defenders : Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville Ladies), Rebecca Holloway (Racing Louisville), Ashley Hutton (Linfield Ladies), Abbie Magee (Cliftonville Ladies), Sarah McFadden (Durham Women), Rebecca McKenna (Lewes Women), Julie Nelson (Crusaders Strikers), Laura Rafferty (Southampton Women), Demi Vance (Rangers Women).

Midfielders : Nadene Caldwell (Glentoran Women), Joely Andrews (Glentoran Women), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran Women), Marissa Callaghan (Cliftonville Ladies), Louise McDaniel (Cliftonville Ladies), Rachel Furness (Liverpool Women).

Forwards : Simone Magill (unattached), Caitlin McGuinness (Cliftonvillle Ladies), Kirsty McGuinness (Cliftonville Ladies), Lauren Wade (Glentoran Women), Emily Wilson (Crusaders Strikers).

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