The 'different threat' Sheffield Wednesday ace Kieran Morrison has taken onto the international stage
Sheffield Wednesday loanee Kieran Morrison will be eyeing another start for Northern Ireland when they host Georgia on Monday night.
Northern Ireland attacking midfielder Isaac Price has said teammate and Sheffield Wednesday winger Kieran Morrison has given boss Michael O’Neill a selection headache ahead of tonight’s UEFA Nations League clash with Georgia at Windsor Park.
Morrison, who is on loan at Hillsborough from Premier League heavyweights Liverpool, made his competitive debut for Northern Ireland on Friday night, starting their eye-catching 3-0 win over Ukraine in Slovakia.
The 19-year-old marked the occasion with an assist, sending over a peach of a cross that was headed home by Price to double Northern Ireland’s lead with just 22 minutes on the clock. Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown scored either side of Price’s header to help O’Neill’s side maintain their excellent start to their Nations League campaign.
As well as claiming an assist, Morrison registered two key passes, completed 93 per cent of his attempted passes, produced four progressive carries and made two recoveries, meaning it was a polished all-round display from the Owls loanee.
Having made such an impressive contribution on his competitive debut for his country, Price was only too happy to wax lyrical about his international colleague, admitting that he brings something ‘different’ to the table.
"I thought he was really good,” Price told BBC Sport NI. “He's a different threat than what we have had before.
“[He is] a really good crosser of the ball and he has come in and given the manager a headache with a game on Monday.”
The Green and White Army will welcome Georgia to Windsor Park with the ambition of tightening their grip on top spot in League B’s Group 2 after earning seven points from their first three matches. They are currently three points clear at the top of the group at the halfway stage, which is an impressive feat considering they were promoted from League C during the last Nations League campaign.
Northern Ireland are also yet to concede a goal in this Nations League campaign, meaning former Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who saved a penalty in the 1-0 win over Georgia last month, has been earning plenty of justified plaudits.