UTV Sport - Worthington closer to renewed contract

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Worthington closer to renewed contract

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Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington is edging closer to securing a new contract with the IFA.
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Worthington's contract is up at the end of the year but he has made no secret of the fact he wants to stay on and lead them into next year's European Qualifying campaign.

"I still have to sit down with the President Raymond Kennedy, he's been away with UEFA and FIFA commitments but he's back now so when the time suits everyone we will sit down," Worthington told UTV.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed it, I've said that all the way along and the player's response has been magnificent, so if we can sort something out to everybody's satisfaction and hopefully we can move forward together."

Worthington will attend Tuesday night's U21 European Qualifying game against the Czech Republic where he will be talent spotting.

Niall McGinn came from the Under 21's and once again he was the star of the show on Saturday.

"He has had a terrific start to his international career. He was thrown into the deep end against the Czech Republic and had a super game out there. He started the game against Serbia the other night and had another very good game.

"He is very young, but the nice thing about it is that he is willing to learn and he takes information on board that myself and club managers give him."

Worthington also praised his Celtic teammate Pat McCourt.

"I thought Paddy with the ball on Saturday did very very well. As always and I've said it to him on a one-to-one that without the ball he has to work harder for the team, as with international football the fewer men you have behind the ball when you lose it, the more apt it is that the opposition can score a goal.

"Paddy's working on it, and he has yet more to come."

Referring to David Healy being left on the bench against Serbia, Worthington explained:

"I stood by David throughout the campaign and rightly so. It was a friendly game on Saturday and it was the first time in a long time that we had Warren (Feeney) and Kyle Lafferty in the group together.

"It was a opportunity to give those two a run out and have a look at them and again a very useful exercise.

"So as a manager, or leader of any organisation, you have to make decisions, rightly or wrongly, but you have to be strong and that's part of my job."

© UTV News

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