'Whirlwind' - Lindsay excited to manage NI

"It took about five seconds for me to say yes." Managing your country is something that most people dream about and, when Kris Lindsay was offered the chance to on an interim basis, he didn't hang around before agreeing to the task.

Lindsay will take charge of Northern Ireland women's team for their games away to Switzerland on 3 March and against Turkey four days later at Mourneview in the opening 2027 World Cup qualifiers. The 42-year-old has plenty of experience and managed Dungannon Swifts and the under-16 Northern Ireland men's team.

Lindsay was also first-team coach when Gail Redmond was interim Northern Ireland boss in 2023 ahead of Tanya Oxtoby being appointed, who left the role to become Newcastle United manager in November. "Since I was announced as interim manager, it's been really exciting getting the teeth into the job and two really exciting games.

It's been a whirlwind," Lindsay said "I'm a proud Northern Ireland fan, both men and women, so to get this opportunity is a really proud moment. "When the offer came, it was an exciting opportunity.

It was one I was really excited by the challenge of, and it took about five seconds for me to say yes, to lead your country as a manager is a privilege." Rafferty returns for NI's World Cup qualifiers What awaits interim boss Lindsay in NI job? Despite plenty of growth within the Northern Ireland team in recent years, it has been a challenging period of time with the side without a win in their last four games.

They will also be without their captain, Simone Magill, who announced she was pregnant in November. However, Lindsay added that no decision had been made on who would replace the experienced Magill and take the captain's armband for the opening qualifiers.

"There's a number of players there who have a lot of experience around international football and once we get into camp, we'll discuss that as a group and as a staff and who will fill that role," Lindsay continued.

"Yes, any team losing Simone would be a challenge but there's a number of exciting young players there with the likes of Kascie Weir who is coming up through the ranks and obviously has been in previous squads.

"Also, a few more established players that are talented and I have no doubts will lead the line really, really well if asked to do so." Lindsay 'focusing fully' on NI job It is unclear what will happened following these two fixtures and who will manage Northern Ireland for the rest of the qualifying campaign.

However, Lindsay has shown full commitment to his new role and has temporarily stepped back from his job within the JD Academy. "We have a number of very experienced and talented full-time staff that work day-to-day on the JD Academy who are currently overseeing our player development pathways," he said. "My full focus has been on our senior women's team and preparation for our upcoming camp.