'Integral' Rafferty closes in on 50 caps for NI

Northern Ireland manager Tanya Oxtoby says that defender Laura Rafferty has been "integral" to their continued development as she closes in on 50 caps.

Rangers defender Rafferty will reach the milestone if she features in the first leg of their opening Euro 2025 play-off round with Croatia on Friday night.

And Oxtoby heaped praise on the 28-year-old, who has also captained her country on numerous occasions recently.

"I always say about Raff, you know exactly what you're going to get, she's fully committed, gives 100% to the group and as a coach that is all you can ask for," Oxtoby told BBC Sport NI.

"She has been really integral to things we have been doing and I'm really excited if she gets her 50th [cap] tomorrow night."

There have been a number of changes to the Northern Ireland squad from their final Euro 2025 qualifier in July at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Former captain Marissa Callaghan and Glentoran's Demi Vance are two high-profile omissions, with the likes of Joely Andrews, Nadene Caldwell, Caragh Hamilton and Kerry Beattie ruled out through injury.

On the absence of Callaghan and Vance, Oxtoby reiterated that "the door will remain open" for their return, but believes the squad has enough experience and quality to overcome Croatia despite the numerous alterations.

"Those conversations [on the absences] will remain private between myself and the players as I think that is respectful, they have been given feedback like every player does," Oxtoby explained.

"We feel we have a great squad composition; we have a lot of tactically flexibility, so I feel like we're in a really good place."

Oxtoby was pleased to welcome Nottingham Forest defender Nat Johnson into a first squad since qualifying for Euro 2022, after impressing for her club.

"She's fitted in really with this group, brought a lot of positive energy and really wants to be a sponge," the manager added.

"She has been doing well with her club and has been rewarded with selection."

Oxtoby also believes that new captain Simone Magill "epitomises" qualities she wants in an on-field leader.

Magill was appointed Northern Ireland captain on Monday, succeeding midfielder Marissa Callaghan, who stepped back from the role in May.

"When we looked at the traits and qualities, we wanted in our leadership team Simone epitomises that.

"We went through a really diligent process and the players were a part of that, no matter who wears the armband we have a great bunch of leaders in this group and we're continuing to develop them."

If Northern Ireland advance past Croatia, they will face the winner of the tie between Norway and Albania for a spot at next summer's European Championships in Switzerland.

That play-off will take place in December and presents another awkward window for Oxtoby given that players who feature in the Women's Premiership will be out of season.

For now, however, the manager is glad to have a window in which players based in England and Scotland are in season and players in Northern Ireland have just finished.

"The next window we're going to be back in that difficult position but in this one we're in a good spot.

"Everyone has been playing their club football so we'll take that as a win and use it to our advantage hopefully."