'An exciting young talent' - Meet NI's new recruit

'An exciting young talent' - Meet NI's new recruitImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Emily Cassap played for England at the Under-17 Euros and World Cup in 2024ByAndy GrayBBC Sport NI JournalistPublished4 minutes agoIt took him a few attempts to get hold of her, but Michael McArdle knew it would be worth the wait for Emily Cassap.When the teenager got off the training pitch and back to her phone, she discovered she had been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time.For manager McArdle, they are the best phone calls to make.A former England youth international, Sunderland midfielder Cassap is in line to make her senior Northern Ireland debut in June's World Cup qualifiers with Turkey and Switzerland.The 19-year-old switched her international allegiance earlier this year and was involved with Gail Redmond's Northern Ireland Under-19s, where she impressed in a short space of time."Emily has made strong progress with Sunderland and then Middlesbrough [where she spent the second half of the season on loan]," McArdle said."She has worked under Gail with the Under-19s where she was one of the standout performers. "We have known her for a good period of time and we look at her with excitement. "We see her potential and has earned that recognition."Cassap handed first Northern Ireland call-upPublished5 hours agoCassap arrives in Northern Ireland's senior squad with strong pedigree.In 2024 she helped England to the final of the Under-17 Euros and the quarter-finals of the World Cup.After breaking into Sunderland's first team as a 16-year-old, she signed her first professional contract with the club two years ago, and she got more senior experience with Middlesbrough in the second half of the season in the third tier. While Cassap is used to playing in the centre of midfield, where Northern Ireland have traditionally played three players, she can also operate out wide in the wing back role....