'Different' Morrison gives NI new option

What the report says

Northern Ireland winger Kieran Morrison says he is hopeful of winning manager Michael O'Neill’s trust after a strong first senior international start in the 3-0 Nations League victory over Ukraine in Trnava, Slovakia. The 19-year-old Liverpool player, currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, played in a role drifting in from the right and set up Isaac Price for Northern Ireland’s second goal.

Morrison had not featured in the opening two Group B2 matches, when Northern Ireland collected four points against Georgia and Hungary. O'Neill made three changes for the Ukraine game, and Morrison said he had been working hard in training while waiting for his chance. He described the start as a rewarding opportunity and said he felt he had done enough to justify it.

Price praised Morrison as a different type of attacking option, pointing to his crossing and ability to add variety on the flank. Morrison said his main intention was to make things happen whenever he received the ball, rather than simply deliver crosses. The result leaves Northern Ireland in a strong position in the group, and Morrison now hopes to keep his place for Monday’s home match against Georgia at Windsor Park, a ground he has not yet played at for the senior side.