Baraclough: My only focus is on players who are committed to representing Northern Ireland
ANNOUNCING his first squad as Northern Ireland manager, Ian Baraclough spent most of his time answering media questions about a player not even on the panel.
Mark Sykes dumping Northern Ireland and declaring his intentions to play for the Republic was a bitter blow to Baraclough. The midfielder’s decision was tough to take for the new boss, who helped develop the Oxford United ace as an Under-21 international. The timing made things even worse.
The Sykes story broke on Sunday afternoon, less than 24 hours before Baraclough was scheduled to release his squad for the Nations League games away to Romania on September 4 and home to Norway three days later.
Rather than his opening fixtures in charge, it was Sykes dominating proceedings yesterday and, while Baraclough’s Zoom briefing with newspaper journalists didn’t descend into some of the car crash Irish FA press conferences of the past, the frustrations of the 49-yearold were clear as question after question was posed about the ex-glenavon hero.
Baraclough said: “It’s a disappointment for me and for everyone within the Association. Mark’s a player that we’ve worked long and hard with, not just me but coaches and managers before that. He’s one that we expected to carry on in his pathway.
“It was disappointing to find out over the weekend that he wants to be considered by the Republic. We’ve got to respect his wishes but we’re massively disappointed.
“The player rang me. Respect to him for picking up the phone but it was disappointing to hear from him.
“Subsequently, there were many phone calls over the weekend to try and speak to him and encourage him to think more about his decision but we think his mind’s made up.
“We have to move on. I want players who want to play for Northern Ireland and are fully committed 100 per cent. That’s what we’re going to focus on.”
It’s not the first time a Northern Ireland born player — this one was included in three senior squads but never won a cap — has left for the Republic and it won’t be the last but that doesn’t stop the irritation within IFA circles about the Fifa rules on this issue. Baraclough added: “The system is there. It’s been put in place. It’s not a system we’re particularly pleased with. For us as an Association, we bring players through, we develop them from a young age and we’ve got a really good system in place now where young players are allowed to thrive.
“For me personally, I’m very, very disappointed that he’s come through the system, he’s been in three squads and for that amount of time another young player may have had the opportunity to come through the system and he may have just taken that opportunity away.”
Asked if the decision cut
deeper given his strong relationship with Belfast-born Sykes, Baraclough stated: “We just gave him a pathway and an opportunity to go and perform. That’s the disappointing thing. I like Mark Sykes as a player, I like Mark Sykes as an individual. That won’t change.”
Baraclough revealed that Republic of Ireland counterpart Stephen Kenny had spoken to Sykes prior to the player confirming the switch.
The Northern Ireland supremo also pointed out he phoned Kenny, saying: “I made the call, though whether that call would have come back the other way
I’m not sure. We had a conversation, and that will remain private between us,” adding that he hopes Sykes’ career is not derailed by his change of direction.
For his part, former Derry City boss Kenny stressed the international transfer was “in its infancy” but added “Mark is someone who expressed an interest in playing for Ireland.
“He’s a good player, a really good player, he’s had a good season. He’s a fluent Irish speaker. He’s very proud of his Irish identity.”
While Sykes is finished with Northern Ireland, for another Oxford player, Joel Cooper, his
time is only starting having been named in the squad for the Nations League games.
Cooper — another former Glenavon star — joined the U’s from Linfield in the summer and has already made a positive impression with the League One side.
Baraclough said: “Joel was in my first under 21 squad and I know from having spoken to the coaching staff at Oxford that he’s hit the ground running there and impressed them immensely — even better than the player they thought they were signing.
“He has turned up in great shape, scoring in friendlies and he was made up when I called him about being in the squad. He has the character and personality and he certainly has the ability to hold his own in this squad. I’m looking forward to getting to work with him.
“He can play in various positions, on the left, the right, through the middle, creates goals and scores goals. In the last yearand-a-half, he has kicked on and rightfully got his chance with Oxford United. I think he will flourish at that club. You will see him grow and grow if he applies himself right. He has good players around him to help him in this period and it was the right time to bring him into this squad. It’s an opportunity for him and one he will grab.”
While Cooper will hope to earn his first cap next month, the two games are likely to see captain Steven Davis join goalkeeping legend Pat Jennings on 119, equalling the record for all-time Northern Ireland appearances.