Kieran Morrison: Liverpool teenager ‘buzzing’ after making Northern Ireland debut

Throughout his young career to date, Kieran Morrison takes a phone call from his dad after every game.

It was no different as he made his senior Northern Ireland debut against Guinea on Thursday.

Standing on the pitch in the sweltering La Linea sun, under the shadow of the Rock of Gibraltar, he spoke to his dad about his first 45 minutes in a green shirt.

“He was telling me what I could have done better and what I done well,” a proud Morrison said.

“He does that every game. He’s my coach and he has been since I was four years old.

“After every game he calls me until I answer. I’m glad I have that type of person in my corner, sometimes it’s to give me criticism and other times it’s to offer praise.”

Despite only making two senior Liverpool appearances under the now-departed Arne Slot, in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, Morrison was called into Michael O’Neill’s senior squad for the World Cup play-off with Italy in March.

He did not feature in Bergamo, or in the friendly with Wales that followed, but he got his chance in the 1-0 win over Guinea in Spain.

“At the start of the season I wouldn’t have expected to hear that,” he said on what it felt like to be called a Northern Ireland international.

“I’m very proud and my family is very proud too. I’m buzzing.”