Hearts striker Kerry Beattie has been named in Northern Ireland’s squad for the upcoming Euro 2025 play-off with Norway.
Beattie missed the 2-1 aggregate victory over Croatia in the first play-off round through injury, but returns as Crusaders Strikers defender Rachel McLaren drops out.
The first leg takes place at Inver Park in Larne on Friday, 29 November before the second leg in Oslo on Tuesday, 3 December.
Aside from Beattie’s return, it is a settled squad named by Tanya Oxtoby as Northern Ireland aim to qualify for back-to-back Euros finals.
Nottingham Forest winger Caragh Hamilton remains out with a hamstring injury, while experienced Glentoran midfielder Nadene Caldwell and Montrose goalkeeper Lauren Perry are also sidelined.
There is no place for experienced former captain Marissa Callaghan or Demi Vance, who were left out of the squad to face Croatia in October.
Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer Rachel Furness was tipped to return against Croatia but has not played for Newcastle United since picking up an injury before October’s window.
However, the return of 22-year-old Beattie is a boost for Oxtoby’s attacking options, that also include Croatia hero Lauren Wade and captain Simone Magill.
Wade scored a superb winning in extra-time to book a play in the final play-off in the 1-0 win over Croatia at Windsor Park, that handed Northern Ireland a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Norway promise to be an entirely different challenge, and they have beaten Northern Ireland convincingly in their last three meetings – two 6-0 wins in Euro 2022 qualifying and then a 3-1 win at the finals in Southampton.
They emphatically reached the play-off final with a 14-0 aggregate victory over Albania.
Analysis – Consistency is key
After a big shake-up ahead of the win over Croatia, with Callaghan and Vance omitted, Oxtoby has elected to keep things as consistent as possible heading into the two biggest fixtures of her tenure to date.
The return of Beattie makes sense and bolsters attacking options, and the Hearts forward also has a knack of being in the right place at the right time in the penalty area.
Norway have been a constant fixture throughout Northern Ireland’s journey, and will be massive favourites to reach the finals in Switzerland next summer.
Any feeling that Norway weren’t as strong as they used to be were swatted aside with their win over Albania, and Oxtoby’s side will have to be at their best over the 180 minutes.
Having the first leg at Inver Park, rather than the more expansive Windsor Park, should play to Northern Ireland’s strengths but there’s no understating the task that lies ahead of them.
It would be an unbelievable story if Northern Ireland could upset the odds, and there’s no doubt they have that belief.
Northern Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Jackie Burns (Bristol City), Maddy Harvey-Clifford (Crusaders Strikers), Rachael Norney (Liverpool Feds).
Defenders: Rebecca Holloway, Rebecca McKenna and Ellie Mason (all Birmingham City), Laura Rafferty (Rangers), Rachel Dugdale (Blackburn Rovers), Kelsie Burrows (Cliftonville), Natalie Johnson (Nottingham Forest).
Midfielders: Joely Andrews (Hearts), Chloe McCarron (Glentoran), Louise McDaniel (Cliftonville), Brenna McPartlan (Burnley), Megan Bell (Rangers), Connie Scofield (London City Lionesses).
Forwards: Emily Wilson (Glentoran), Simone Magill (Birmingham City), Lauren Wade (Hearts), Keri Halliday (Linfield), Casey Howe (Nottingham Forest), Danielle Maxwell (Cliftonville), Kerry Beattie (Hearts).