Emily Cassap: ‘An exciting young talent’ – Meet Northern Ireland’s new recruit

It 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, who qualifies for Northern Ireland through parentage, switched her international allegiance earlier this year and was involved with Gail Redmond’s NI 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.”