Release Date: 08/02/2012

NORTHERN Ireland Manager, Michael O'Neill has appointed Billy McKinlay as his Assistant Manager and Tommy Wright as his Goalkeeping Coach.

McKinlay, who won 29 caps for Scotland, is currently with the first team at English Premiership side Fulham.   The 42-year-old joined the club in the summer of 2004 as a full-time player and, as the season progressed, he spent time in the Reserves helping the younger players on the pitch and assisting the manager from the sidelines.

During his playing career he enjoyed successful spells at Dundee United, Blackburn Rovers, Bradford City, Preston North End and Leicester City.

“I am honoured to accept the Assistant Manager’s position with Northern Ireland,” said McKinlay.  “I have known Michael for over 20 years since our days at Dundee United together and it will be great to work alongside him.  I am excited by this opportunity to work with the squad as there are a lot of talented players from Northern Ireland and I am looking forward to our first game against Norway.”

Former Northern Ireland international, Tommy Wright, is currently Assistant Manager of Scottish Premier League club St. Johnstone.  During his playing career, Wright was a much-respected goalkeeper notably with Newcastle United.  He also played for Nottingham Forest, Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers, while a number of other teams benefited from his services on a loan basis.

Wright, who won 31 international caps previously worked as Goalkeeping Coach at Norwich City and later at Shamrock Rovers alongside Northern Ireland Manager, Michael O’Neill, for the 2009 League of Ireland season.   He has also managed IFA Premiership sides Limavady United, Ballymena United and Lisburn Distillery.

“Having represented my country as a player I am immensely proud to become the Goalkeeping Coach of the Northern Ireland senior squad,” said Wright.  “Everyone knows that I’m very passionate about Northern Ireland and I am thrilled to be working alongside Michael O’Neill again.  He is a fantastic young manager and I am sure he can inspire the players ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers in September.”

Northern Ireland Manager, Michael O’Neill added: “I have known Billy and Tommy since my playing days and have watched as they both forged very successful careers in coaching.  Both guys have tremendous reputations within football and that speaks volumes.  Looking ahead, we are up against top class opposition in our World Cup Qualifying group and I believe we have top class coaches in place which put us in the best position possible to compete against some of the best sides in the world.”

Billy McKinlay and Tommy Wright will take up their positions on 13 February for a 2 year period.

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