'It's just the start' - NI's journey under Oxtoby

Tanya Oxtoby managed Bristol City between 2018 and 2021

When manager Tanya Oxtoby took over the Northern Ireland women's team she had ambitions of qualifying for major tournaments - so are they ready?

It has been a busy 14 months under Oxtoby.

After competing at Euro 2022, the squad struggled, leading to the exit of former manager Kenny Shiels and Oxtoby was brought in to turn things around.

She has made plenty of changes - lowering the average age of the squad, moving them up the Fifa world rankings and improving their defensive record.

Now, as they prepare for two crucial Euro 2025 play-off games against Croatia, Oxtoby reflects on the progression the side have made.

"I would sum it up as being super exciting and a lot of work," she told BBC Sport.

"I've learned so much over the last 12 months about myself, the group and the country. We're on a really exciting journey and this is just the start.

"I can't wait to see where we get to in another 18 months. Get on board. It's an exciting time."

Northern Ireland travel to Croatia on Friday, 25 October (18:00 BST) with the return leg taking place on Tuesday, 29 October (19:00 BST).

Albania or Norway lie in wait if they defeat Croatia and the round two play-offs will be played on 27 November and 3 December.

How were changes made?

Oxtoby was appointed in August 2023 having been assistant manager at Chelsea, following a spell as Bristol City boss in the English Women's Super League.

Her first camp was in September as Northern Ireland started their Nations League campaign with a 3-0 defeat by the Republic of Ireland.

It was a "baptism of fire", Oxtoby says, and she embarked on an "evaluation period" afterwards to see what changes needed to be made to improve for the long-term.

There were several key elements Oxtoby wanted to improve including physical performance, creating a professional environment and tactical flexibility.

"We wanted tactically flexible players who could play a number of different positions so we had the ability to switch things up," said Oxtoby.

"The biggest thing was the personal accountability. It’s not about coming in and performing for your country for 10 days, it’s the professionalism that goes on every single day to be the best version of yourself.

"Everyone is pulling in the same direction now. That level of professionalism and application outside of the windows has really improved."

Oxtoby looked at what skills they needed to bring into the coaching staff, as well as communicating with clubs to develop individual training programmes.

She did educational talks on the menstrual cycle, nutrition, video analysis and physical performance.

"I spoke about a high-performing environment and what elements go into that," said Oxtoby.

"I asked the players to think about whether they were maximising everything. We looked at what they could take control of and what we could support with.

"We gave them individual programmes so they were in the best physical shape they could be when they came into camp."

'You need to share your journey'

Northern Ireland won both games against Malta and Bosnia-Herzegovina in July

As well as changes on the pitch, the Irish FA made changes off it, appointing several new members of staff in the analysis and physical performance departments.

Oxtoby says the changes have been "small but ongoing", tweaking things in each window and growing the environment around the team.

Young players have been given opportunities, while Oxtoby and her staff have continued to "layer on top" information around professionalism.

There has also been a focus on growing the profile of the team for fans.

"I think we're on the right track with it. Both internally and externally it's massive," said Oxtoby, who named Simone Magill as Northern Ireland's new captain earlier this week.

"We have such amazing players coming through and we want people to know their stories, their backgrounds and for people to be able to relate.

"You need to share your journey so people can understand where you come from and where you want to go to.

"Part of that is to continue to get good results so people are interested."

'I want us to shake it up'

This is a project that is all aimed towards an end goal of qualifying for Euro 2025 and being able to compete at the tournament.

Oxtoby hopes to set foundations for success in the future too and she hasn't been afraid to make tough decision, including dropping former captain Marissa Callaghan for the upcoming play-off with Croatia as well as Demi Vance.

"We're heading in the right direction, there's no doubts about that. I feel like in the last two windows we have turned a corner," said Oxtoby.

"We have good foundations to keep pushing on. This level now is the minimum for us. These two play-off games will be massive.

"It's a fairly young squad in transition. The hardest thing to do in a transition period is to keep winning but I’m excited to see them play.

"We won't move away from what we have been doing. But we need to do it quicker, better and for longer. That's the challenge - and the players are ready for it."

It will not be an easy task.

Northern Ireland are ranked 14 places higher than Friday's play-off opponents Croatia but with major tournament regulars Norway potentially to come should they progress, tougher challenges lie in waiting.

Oxtoby is under no illusions to the challenge but she is looking at the bigger picture.

"It would be massive to [qualify for Euro 2025]. It's the reason I took the job. It was always going to be a massive challenge.

"But I don't want to just qualify for major tournaments. I want us to go there, be successful and compete. I want us to shake it up, that's the whole point of it.

"We need results, that's the business we're in, but we also need long-term success. We need to win in the right way and develop in the right way.

"I want to get [to Euro 2025] and people say 'wow, this team is something'. That's my goal for these players. We are not getting ahead of ourselves but that's where we want to be."