Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough confirms ‘massive disappointment’ at Mark Sykes decision but hands Joel Cooper first senior call-up

The former Northern Ireland under 21s boss announced his first squad since being appointed over the summer as Michael O’Neill’s senior successor by offering Joel Cooper a welcome call-up.

Baraclough’s 26-man panel for Nations League games in September away to Romania and home to Norway featured Cooper for the first time at senior level - with his Oxford United club colleague conspicuous by his absence following the weekend revelation Sykes wanted to switch international allegiance.

“It’s one of massive disappointment for me and everyone in the Irish FA,” said Baraclough. “Mark’s a player we’ve worked long and hard with, not just me but coaches and managers before and is one we expected to carry on in his pathway.

“It was disappointing to find out over the weekend he wants to be considered for the Republic of Ireland.

“We’ve got to respect his wishes.

“Mark rang me and respect to him for picking up the phone but it was disappointing to hear from him.

“Subsequently, there were many phone calls over the weekend to speak to him about his decision...his mind’s made up, we have to move on.

“I want players who want to play for Northern Ireland, who are fully committed 100 per cent.

“The system is there in place and it’s not a system we are particularly pleased with - it’s very difficult for a young player to have to deal with decisions like that but for us as an Association we bring players through, we develop them from a young age and have a really good system in place now where young players are allowed to thrive.

“Personally, I’m very disappointed as Mark’s come through the system and been in three (senior) squads, for that amount of time another young player may have had the opportunity to come through the system and he may have just taken that opportunity away.

“I don’t think the system lends itself to the way we want to go but we have to work through that and it’s given someone like Joel Cooper an opportunity to begin his international career and it’s one he’ll grab with both hands.”

Baraclough was full of praise for Cooper’s development from the Irish League to full-time football in England.

“Joel was in my first under 21s’ squad and know he was delighted when I spoke to him about his move to Oxford and he was made up last night,” said Baraclough. “I know, having spoken to the Oxford staff, he’s hit the ground running there and has impressed them immensely, even better than the player they thought they were signing.

“He’s turned up in great shape and scored over the weekend as well in friendlies.

“He’s a character, many of the players know him as he travelled with the group along with Paul Smyth to EURO 2016.

“He’s got the character and personality - and certainly the ability - to go on and hold his own in this squad.

“I’m looking forward to getting to work with him.”

Northern Ireland tackle Romania in Bucharest on September 4 within the UEFA Nations League before Baraclough will enjoy his home debut as senior international manager on September 7 at Belfast’s National Stadium.

The full Northern Ireland squad is as follows: Michael McGovern, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Trevor Carson, Jonny Evans, Craig Cathcart, Stuart Dallas, Shane Ferguson, Conor McLaughlin, Jamal Lewis, Michael Smith, Tom Flanagan, Steven Davis, Niall McGinn, Corry Evans, Paddy McNair, George Saville, Gavin Whyte, Jordan Jones, Jordan Thompson, Matthew Kennedy, Joel Cooper, Kyle Lafferty, Josh Magennis, Conor Washington, Liam Boyce, Shayne Lavery.

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