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The familiar phone call after Morrison's NI debut

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Liverpool teenager Kieran Morrison made his Northern Ireland debut against Guinea

By Andy Gray

BBC Sport NI Journalist

Published 5 hours ago

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."

Atcheson scores and is sent off as NI beat Guinea

Wearing the number nine shirt, famous for David Healy's goalscoring exploits at the turn of the century, Morrison played the opening 45 minutes of the friendly against the African side.

With an average age of 22.1, he was part of the youngest starting XI on record since the end of World War Two, and he was one of two debutants.

Arsenal teenager Ceadach O'Neill was introduced off the bench, and Blackburn Rovers defender Tom Atcheson scored the winner but was also sent off as he made his first start.

"I was shocked when I seen number nine. I don't think I've ever worn number nine," Morrison said.

"I was expecting 10 or 17 or something, but I'm proud with number nine.

"I'm proud and I'll keep it forever."

He also said he was proud of his fellow debutant O'Neill, who also came through the Northern Ireland set up in the JD Academy.

"Me and Ceadach are close. I was mocking him on his number [O'Neill wore number 13], it's a goalkeeper's number.

"But I was proud of him to make his debut. He deserves it.

"It was a really proud moment for him and his family."

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption,

Kieran Morrison made his first-team debut at Liverpool in the EFL Cup defeat by Crystal Palace in October

After getting a taste of international football, Morrison will be hoping for more minutes against France in Lille on Monday.

While Guinea pushed a young Northern Ireland side, France will be another level as their star-studded team will look to head off to the World Cup with a big win.

For Morrison, it will be a reunion with former Liverpool team-mate Ibrahima Konate, who looks set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

He joked that he is hoping their friendship will have some benefits when it comes to getting the shirt of a big name.

"It will be some game. Hopefully I can catch up with Ibou after it," Morrison said.

"That's the best game you can get. Hopefully I can get whatever minutes I can on the pitch and try to prove myself to the fans and for everyone.

"Hopefully I can tell him to get me a [Ousmane] Dembele or something on the secret. Hopefully I can get whatever shirt I can."

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The familiar phone call after Morrison's NI debut

Kieran Morrison: Liverpool teenager 'buzzing' after making Northern Ireland debut - BBC Sport

The familiar phone call after Morrison's NI debut

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