McCartney gets NI debut

George McCartney will make his international debut

George McCartney will make his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior side on Wednesday night against Iceland at Windsor Park.

McCartney will come into the centre of the defence as Colin Murdock is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the campaign in Denmark on Saturday.

Although he normally plays at left-back McCartney has figured at centre-half for Sunderland this season.

The Belfast youngster was drafted into the senior squad for the first time in June when injuries affected McIlroy's panel for the matches with Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

McCartney didn't appear in either of those games and also spent 90 minutes on the bench in Copenhagen on Saturday night, but Murdock's booking gives him his chance.

It is a remarkable rise for McCartney who only made his debut at under-21 international level less than a year ago, but he says he is ready to take this step.

"It's up to the manager to pick the team and all I can do is work hard in training out there and show him that I'm ready to go in and that fill that defensive spot," he said.

As a kid I dreamed about playing in the Premiership and playing for my country.

George McCartney

"I feel I'm ready and this is what I want. I've been playing for the under-21s, I've wanted to get this call-up to the senior squad and I would be delighted if I played.

"It would be great to play and it would probably be the highlight of my career so far. I would just be over the moon.

"This is what dreams are made of. As a kid I dreamed about playing in the Premiership and playing for my country.

"I just hope it happens and if I get my chance I am determined to take it with both hands."

"I think left-back is probably my best position and I've played there from under-15 level with Northern Ireland.

McIlroy calls-up debutant

"I've been at Sunderland for the last five years and I've played there too.

"I've played at centre-half in a couple of games in pre-season - I even scored in one.

"I played there in one game in the Premiership a couple of weeks ago against Fulham.

"I was a bit conscious for the first few minutes position wise, but after that I settled into it. I've played there two or three times against good teams and I've done well.

"I don't think the manager sees me as playing centre-half all the time and I just think he wants to see if I can be versatile.

Pushed forward

"At the end of the day I'd play anywhere if it meant getting a game for my country."

Apart from McCartney making his debut manager Sammy McIlroy will stick with the side which ground out an impressive 1-1 draw in Copenhagen.

Maik Taylor will continue in goal with Aaron Hughes partnering McCartney at the back.

Danny Griffin and Peter Kennedy will operate in the full-back positions.

The midfield will be made up of Keith Gillespie, Jim Magilton, Kevin Horlock and Michael Hughes with Phil Mulryne being pushed further forward alongside David Healy.