THE Northern Ireland senior women's football team has got behind its manager following the backlash over his `emotional women' comments.
Captain Marissa Callaghan offered the team's full support to manager Kenny Shiels, describing him as a "man of integrity".
Shiels drew criticism after claiming that female teams concede goals in clusters because they are "more emotional than men" during a post-match news conference following his side's 5-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to England at Windsor Park on Tuesday.
Figures including Sinn Féin's Michelle O’Neill and former footballer Ian Wright were among those to criticise Shiels. He later apologised for his remarks, which cast a shadow over the match - the first sell-out crowd at Windsor for a women's game.
But in a statement last night Callaghan said the team were still united behind their boss.
"In light of recent events, collectively we stand by our manager," she said.
"We feel his interview was in relation to a meeting we had as a team where we analysed that we concede goals in quick succession and emotions was one of the many things we discussed.
"Since Kenny took over our national team three years ago, I have always complimented him publicly on how he can get the best out of his players individually and collectively.
"He is a man of integrity who cares for us like we are family."
Callaghan also credited Shiels with instilling the belief in Northern Ireland's players that has brought their recent success.
"Kenny has transformed the game here in Northern Ireland because he understands how to get the best out of his players," she said.
"We have qualified for a major tournament because he transformed our mindset. We look forward to the next few months as we continue to prepare for the Euros this summer.
"Selling out the National Stadium has been a pivotal moment for the game here in NI and we as players and staff will continue as a team to help grow the game and inspire the next generation of young players and fans."
