Brown sees growing Northern Ireland squad ready for Nations League step up
The short version
- Northern Ireland open their Nations League League B campaign away to Georgia on Friday.
- Ciaron Brown has 30 caps and plays for Oxford United.
- The international window features four games over 11 days under a new format.
- Brown says the squad's average age has dropped and the group keeps improving.
Defender Ciaron Brown says Northern Ireland's young squad is improving steadily as it prepares to open its League B campaign away to Georgia on Friday.
Northern Ireland begin their Nations League campaign in League B with an away match against Georgia on Friday, after earning promotion in the competition. Defender Ciaron Brown, who has 30 caps, told BBC Sport NI the squad has transformed since he first joined the set-up.
"From when I first started to now, the squad has changed massively," Brown said, noting only a few familiar faces remain and that the group's average age has dropped while younger players have developed. The Oxford United centre-back said the team is "continuously improving" and that everyone wants to be part of something special.
This international window also brings a new format, with four matches scheduled over 11 days. Brown, 30, acknowledged recovery time will be limited for the young squad but said a strong start could help the team build momentum by keeping games coming.
He added that the players get along well and that he enjoys the extended time together, noting international football rarely allows such a long stretch with teammates.
