Northern Ireland: Under-23 team would help develop youth - Hutton

Former Northern Ireland defender Ashley Hutton believes an Under-23 team would aid young players trying to break into the senior team.

Hutton, who retired from international duty after Euro 2022, feels that some young players are being "fast-tracked".

She was speaking as Northern Ireland fell to a late 3-2 defeat in Hungary in the Nations League on Friday.

"That gap from Under-19 level to potentially moving into senior football is massive," said Hutton.

• Northern Ireland fall to late dramatic defeat in Hungary

The 35-year-old added: "You look at some of the players tonight, they would be playing in an Under-23 team. It's maybe something the Irish Football Association need to look at.

"You see England and Scotland with Under-23 teams, it is important that we continue to develop those players who are maybe not just ready for senior international football, but could be within the next couple of years.

"You don't want them to lose sight of playing international football. That is the development you kind of want to see."

Of the 24 players in Tanya Oxtoby's senior squad for October's double-header with Hungary, 11 are aged 23 or younger.

Four of those - Rebecca McKenna (22), Joely Andrews (21), Danielle Maxwell (21) and Caitlin McGuinness (21) - started in Friday's defeat in Gyor, while 22-year-old midfielder Megan Bell came off the bench.

Rachel Norney, Lilie Woods, Kelsie Burrows, Abbie Magee, Emily Wilson and Kerry Beattie are also 22 or under, but were not used on Friday.

'There are no hiding places'

Four of Northern Ireland's starting team in Hungary - Caitlin McGuinness (#11), Joely Andrews (#20), Danielle Maxwell (#8) and Rebecca McKenna (#2) - are all under the age of 23

Hutton, who won 114 caps after making her debut in 2005, says that while the Nations League is a positive because it offers players more playing time, the competitive nature of matches and lack of friendlies mean it is hard of Oxtoby to fully experiment.

She also admitted that the reliance on the more senior players in the team is as strong as ever despite some promising young players.

"Now they get more games internationally so it does allow you to explore a little bit more," Hutton added while on co-commentary for Friday's game.

"It is a difficult thing for a manager to try and get right, the balance between the senior players and bleeding in the youth.

"They are the next stalwarts. We need to bleed them and make sure they are part of the next 10 years.

"We have to look after them and make sure we find them those opportunities, whether they be in England or in Europe, it's important that those players seek full-time football.

"There is definitely the development coming through in the youth but right now, to see a Northern Ireland team without the likes of Demi Vance, Sarah McFadden, Rachel Furness, Simone Magill or Marissa Callaghan - it would be a wee bit worrying.

"I think it's important we hold on to those senior players and allow the young ones the opportunities to slowly progress at international football.

"You can get found out quite a lot in international football, there are no hiding places."