Who are NI's uncapped teens Graham and O'Neill?

Friendlies against Guinea and France in June give Michael O’Neill a chance to include younger players in Northern Ireland’s squad. The squad features uncapped teenagers Braiden Graham and Ceadach O’Neill, reflecting an emphasis on development rather than immediate senior impact. O’Neill says it is difficult to judge whether they are ready for senior international football, noting they have had limited first-team minutes. He emphasizes protecting their pathway and showing them the route to playing for Northern Ireland at senior level. He also indicates that other available players are not currently playing club football at a level that would affect the starting XI. Graham, 18, has impressed in Everton’s academy, scoring 16 goals for the under-21 side.

"Friendlies against Guinea and France have given O'Neill the chance to bring in younger faces, with uncapped teenagers Braiden Graham and Ceadach O'Neill included in the squad. Fresh off the back of signing a new four-year contract extension with NI, Michael O'Neill said this window presents an opportunity to "accelerate players". Of course, there are no guarantees either will establish themself in the squad, but it does provide an opportunity for them to showcase what they can offer at this level."

""It's difficult to say they're ready to be senior international players. We have to be mindful of that," said O'Neill. "They've had limited minutes at first-team level but they're in our pathway and we have to protect that and we have to show them the route to playing for ourselves and being a senior international, and that they're highly regarded within our pathway as well."

""There are players that I could include instead of those younger players. If I'm honest, I don't feel that they're playing the club football at a high enough level that would affect the starting 11 at this minute in time. "So for me, the emphasis has to be on using some of the squad in terms of development.""

"Graham, 18, has caught the eye of fans both on Merseyside and across the Irish Sea following an impressive period in the Everton academy. The forward has scored 16 goals this season for the under-21 side, who finished 18th in Premier League 2. Graham began his career at Irish Premiership side Linfield and became the youngest player to make a senior appearance for the first team at 15 years and 137 days."

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