Northern Ireland Face Germany Test Without Key Player Conor Bradley
BELFAST – Northern Ireland will be without star player Conor Bradley for Monday’s crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against Germany at Windsor Park, following his second yellow card of the qualifying campaign. The suspension represents a significant setback for manager Michael O’Neill as his side prepares to face the group favourites.
Bradley received the caution in the 76th minute of the previous match for a tackle on Lukas Haraslin.O’Neill expressed his disappointment with the decision, stating it was “extremely disappointing” and believing Bradley had attempted to withdraw from the challenge. He further pointed to a prior challenge on Isaac Price that went unpunished, saying, “There were worse tackles in the game…To produce a yellow card for that was disappointing.”
the 20-year-old has been a mainstay in the Northern Ireland squad since his full Premier League debut in January 2024, starting 15 of his country’s 17 games, missing only friendlies against Sweden and Switzerland in March. He had also accumulated three Premier league bookings this season prior to the qualifier.
With Bradley sidelined, O’Neill is set to turn to Oxford United’s Brodie Spencer to fill the right wing-back position. Assistant manager Gavin Hume highlighted Spencer’s versatility, noting he has experience playing both left and right wing-back, as well as in a back three.
Hume emphasized the team’s determination to cope with the loss, stating, “You can’t go into a game trying not to get booked. You’ve got to play to your strengths.He’s full throttle. He’s 100% all the time.” He added, “Obviously Conor is going to be a big miss, but we’re a big group, we’re a strong team and we’re all together. It’s somthing we have to deal with and we’ll be ready.”
Former Northern Ireland and Leeds United defender Stuart dallas acknowledged Bradley had given the referee “a decision to make” but agreed the card was ultimately harsh.The suspension adds another layer of complexity to O’Neill’s plans as he seeks a significant result in his second spell as Northern Ireland manager.
