Sproule ready for starting role

Despite having 2 Norn Iron caps, and coming on in THAT match against England, Ivan Sproule sadly admits: “I’ve barely broken sweat for my country.”

“I’m happy just to be part of the squad but it would be nice to line-up from the first whistle. Only then will I feel I’ve really arrived on the international scene.
“It’s one thing coming off the bench and another being considered good enough to start. It’s what every player wants. It’s the difference between playing a bit part role and a leading role.
“If it happens on Wednesday I’ll be delighted. It would be the height of my achievements so far in my career.
“I’ve finally made the big breakthrough at Hibs. At first I was just happy to be in the first team squad then came a seat on the bench. But lately the gaffer Tony Mowbray has given me the nod.
“It has boosted my confidence no end for I’ve squeezed in ahead of Scottish internationals Gary O’Connor and Derek Riordan. I’ve tried very hard to make the most of my opportunities and have started in our last 10 games. Now it’s my intention to make the same impression on the international stage given the chance.”
Ivan doesn’t mind if he plays on the wing or up front: “Either would do nicely. I’d just be happy to get in from the start. Maybe then I’d get to open the lungs – and break a sweat!”

‘Bruce was wrong to drop me’ says Taylor

In the absence of Aaron Hughes, Maik Taylor looks set to captain Norn Iron once again on Saturday. Taylor has been putting in some amazing performances for struggling Birmingham this season, but he was dropped for 5 games earlier in the season after a couple of high-profile errors. However he is now back in top form:
“Do I feel back to my best? Yes, I do.
“A lot was made of a couple of mistakes I made. I didn’t feel my form was poor. I just made a couple of errors. I am human. Some of the criticism was harsh, in saying my form was poor. Because of the situation we were in at the time, and because we weren’t scoring goals, the mistakes were highlighted.
“But I have got broad shoulders. I can take that on the chin. The manager felt he wanted to leave me out. It was his decision. I felt it was the wrong one but that is only my opinion. I had to live by it. I am a professional and you have to knuckle down and get on with it.
“Nico Vaesen came in and did exceptionally well. Unfortunately he got sent off at Manchester City and that gave me another opportunity and I have worked hard and things are going alright.”
“It is all about competition for places and if I have a run of poor performances then the manager will not hesitate to put Nico back in. It keeps me on my toes and at the moment things are going alright.”

Sanchez on Estonia

“Estonia is not an easy game and if we do not play well, they are very capable of beating us,” warned Sanchez.
“It is essential we treat these games like a qualifier if we are to improve. I have been watching videos of Estonia and they are a good side. They secured a few wins in their World Cup qualifying group and that’s what we have to strive to do.”
The NI boss added that it would be “nice to finish the last game of this season on a high, with a decent win”.
“Results are important and we want to win matches, but within that, you want to give some new players a chance.
“We want to give the supporters something back for the backing they gave us throughout the last campaign and in August we will start looking ahead seriously to the Euro 2008 qualifiers.”
He also noted that we’ve left the days of mass withdrawals behind us:
“The days of eight or nine players crying off from a friendly match are behind us I think so, in that regard, we are moving in the right direction. I don’t doubt for a minute the commitment of those who are injured.”

Squad for Estonia

Gillespie’s suspended, Damo and Aaron both had to come off injured on Saturday.

Goalkeepers: Taylor (Birmingham), Ingham (Wrexham)
Defenders: Capaldi (Plymouth) Murdock (Rotherham), Craigan (Motherwell), Baird (Southampton) McAuley (Lincoln), Duff (Burnley), McLean (Motherwell)
Midfielders: Jones (Crewe), McCann (Cheltenham), Davis (Aston Villa), Elliott (Hull), Brunt (Sheff Wed)
Forwards: Feeney (Luton), Quinn (Peterborough), Healy (Leeds), Sproule (Hibernian), Thompson (Linfield).

Sproule scores as Lafferty is recalled

“He’s been terrific and we are bitterly disappointed to see him go”
Ivan Sproule scored 74 minutes into Hibs’ 5-1 rout of Falkirk which saw them safely into the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.
In-form Jeff Hughes set up Lincoln’s winner as they beat Notts County 2-1 at Sincil Bank.
Kyle Lafferty was recalled by Burnley on Tuesday due to the amount of injuries and suspensions they had. He came on as a 69th minute sub but couldn’t his side losing 1-0 to Coventry. Both the Quakers and the Clarets heaped praise on Lafferty following his loan spell:
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill:
“I think it’s done the lad the power of good being out on loan,” said Cotterill. “It sounds silly, but he seems to have grown up in a couple of months and I think that’s what going out on loan does to a young player. We’re delighted to bring him back into training and he’s been nice and sharp. We’ve just got to bear in mind that he’s a young lad, but we’re pleased with how he’s done and how he’s come back. We’re very thankful to Darlington because we think they’ve done a great job with him.”
Darlington assistant manager Mark Proctor:
“He’s been terrific and we are bitterly disappointed to see him go. To step into a first team environment from youth and reserve team football is a huge step,” said Proctor. “To go from flirting with the first team at Burnley, to suddenly being a first team regular with your name on your shirt and all the responsibility which goes with fitting into a team plan and having people relying on you, is not easy. But he came in fully motivated from day one, scored three goals, and worked non-stop. We have been impressed with his energy levels, enthusiasm and ability, and hope he goes on to enjoy a good career.”

Hughes signs new 2 year deal

Lincoln City left back Jeff Hughes has signed a new deal that will keep him at Sincil Bank till the summer of 2008. Imps’ boss Keith Alexander:

“We’ve agreed a new deal with Jeff to keep him at the Club for another couple of years and we’re delighted with that,” said Imps’ boss Keith Alexander.
“Jeff is a left-sided player who are few and far between and when Paul Mayo gets back to full fitness, it means we’ll be quite strong down that side.
“He’s away on international duty again next week, as is Gareth McAuley, and that’s good recognition for both players and for the Club. Fortunately, it doesn’t affect us playing-wise as we haven’t any games whilst they’re away.”
The 20 year old is set to win his 3rd U21 cap away to Wales on Tuesday.

U21 Squad for Tuesday’s Wales friendly

Norn Iron U21s travel to Llanelli on Tuesday to play their Welsh counterparts (ko 5:30pm). The squad is:
1. Michael McGovern (Glasgow Celtic)
2. Paul Willis (Stockport County, on loan from Liverpool)
3. Kris Lindsay (Larne)
4. Aaron Callaghan (Limavady United)
5. Jeff Hughes (Lincoln City)
6. Emmet Friars (Notts County)
7. Rory McArdle (Rochdale, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday)
8. Mark McCrystal (Derry City)
9. David Scullion (Dungannon Swifts)
10. Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest)
11. Richard Clarke (Newry City)
12. Sean Ward (Glentoran)
13. Brian Gilfillan (Gretna)
14. Kyle McVey (Coleraine)
15. Daryl Smylie (Stockport County, on loan from Newcastle United)
16. Thomas Stewart (Wolverhampton Wanders)
17. Kyle Lafferty (Burnley)
18. Michael McGowan (Clyde)
19. Jamie Ward (Aston Villa)
20. Jim Ervin (Linfield)
21. Sammy Morrow (Livingston, on loan from Hibernian)
22. Dermot McCaffrey (Hibernian)
In other news, the IFA have opened their new shop at their HQ at Windsor Avenue:

U21 Squad for Tuesday’s Wales friendly

Norn Iron U21s travel to Llanelli on Tuesday to play their Welsh counterparts (ko 5:30pm). The squad is:
1. Michael McGovern (Glasgow Celtic)
2. Paul Willis (Stockport County, on loan from Liverpool)
3. Kris Lindsay (Larne)
4. Aaron Callaghan (Limavady United)
5. Jeff Hughes (Lincoln City)
6. Emmet Friars (Notts County)
7. Rory McArdle (Rochdale, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday)
8. Mark McCrystal (Derry City)
9. David Scullion (Dungannon Swifts)
10. Sammy Clingan (Nottingham Forest)
11. Richard Clarke (Newry City)
12. Sean Ward (Glentoran)
13. Brian Gilfillan (Gretna)
14. Kyle McVey (Coleraine)
15. Daryl Smylie (Stockport County, on loan from Newcastle United)
16. Thomas Stewart (Wolverhampton Wanders)
17. Kyle Lafferty (Burnley)
18. Michael McGowan (Clyde)
19. Jamie Ward (Aston Villa)
20. Jim Ervin (Linfield)
21. Sammy Morrow (Livingston, on loan from Hibernian)
22. Dermot McCaffrey (Hibernian)
In other news, the IFA have opened their new shop at their HQ at Windsor Avenue:

Today’s Action

Young Jeff Hughes scored his second goal in 3 games to give Lincoln a 1-1 draw away to Macclesfield. Big G had conceeded the penalty which put the home side 1-0 up. Left-back Hughes headed home with 15 minutes left. Does a call up for the Estonia game beckon?

James Quinn scored what turned out to be the winner as Peterborough strengthened their promotion hopes with a 2-1 win at Notts County.
Tony Capaldi and Danny Griffin got assists in Plymouth’s 3-1 victory over Coventry and and Aberdeen’s 1-0 win over Falkirk respectively.

Davis featured in Daily Telegraph

Oops forgot the link!
Including why he signed for Villa rather than Rangers. On the England game:

“The crowd were unbelievable, like an extra man. The Northern Ireland fans have had a lot to contend with at times, but always seem to turn up and sing for 90 minutes. We couldn’t ask for anything more, so it was nice to give them something back. All my family were there. It was a special night.
“England players were dejected, devastated. Hopefully, England will go on to win the World Cup so we can say we are the best team in the world! That night epitomises what Northern Ireland is about. We haven’t got the biggest squad, so we dig deep and give 100 per cent.”