Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MAKING WAVES
Craig: Euros prep is going swimmingly
WATFORD defender Craig Cathcart believes Michael O’neill is putting new building blocks in place for another rollercoaster assault on the Euro finals.
Northern Ireland, preparing for tomorrow’s clash in Costa Rica, made history by reaching the knockout stages of the 2016 tournament in France.
And Cathcart feels the new blood being pumped into the senior set-up will pay rich dividends when the next qualifying campaign kicks off early next year.
Seven players have made their debuts in Northern Ireland’s last three games, while Millwall midfielder George Saville also made his bow at the end of the World Cup qualifiers.
Young Leeds United goalkeeper Bailey Peacock Farrell (inset), midfielder Jordan Thompson and Everton striker Shayne Lavery earned their first caps in Wednesday’s 0-0 draw in Panama.
While livewire QPR winger Paul Smyth, Norwich City defender Jamal Lewis and Motherwell keeper Trevor Carson featured in March’s 2-1 friendly win over South Korea.
Cathcart said: “We have a lot of young lads who have come into the squad and they haven’t looked out of place at all. They’ve done really well. I feel it’s exciting times for Northern Ireland and there’s a real feelgood factor around the place. Everyone wants to impress.
“After the Euros, people maybe expected us not to be as driven to get to another tournament, but in the World Cup qualifiers, we went into that campaign with the same attitude.
“We were very unfortunate to lose in the play-offs but everyone wants to be successful and do the best we can to make our country proud. It’ll be no different going into the next campaign.”
Cathcart, who returned to club action in March after a lengthy period on the sidelines with hernia and knee injuries, is relishing being back in national service.
The 29-year-old was an ever present for O’neill in France but Wednesday’s stalemate with Panama was his first start in a green shirt in 14 months.
“I’ve missed a lot of trips and it was really disappointing because it’s like coming away with your mates. It’s been really good getting back in and seeing everyone again.
“Getting a game under my belt the other night was great and it was my first start for a while for Northern Ireland, but hopefully there’s more to come.”
While a lack of numbers in midfield forced O’neill to experiment with defender Jonny Evans in a holding role against Panama, Cathcart believes the 3-5-2 formation worked well.
He said: “I thought we looked quite comfortable with the shape. It was a bit different with Jonny in front, but he’s comfortable in there and good on the ball.”