Worthington hands N. Ireland captaincy to Craigan

Stephen Craigan will captain Northern Ireland on their two-match tour next week.

The Motherwell skipper steps up at international level due to regular captain Aaron Hughes and vice-captain Maik Taylor being rested.

Northern Ireland will play Turkey in New Britain, Connecticut on Wednesday and then World Cup finalists Chile in Chillan the following Sunday.

Craigan, 33, is set to win his 47th and 48th caps after recently sealing a new one-year deal at Fir Park.

National team manager Nigel Worthington: “Stephen is the most experienced player in the squad – he’s an old campaigner.

“So it is only right and proper he gets the armband. He has done really well for his club and is a great professional.”

Worthington is pleased that defender Rory McArdle has secured a move to Aberdeen from Rochdale.

McArdle, 23, will join his new club on July 1 after sealing a two-year contract yesterday.

He could win his first cap on tour and Worthington explained: “Rory will have a higher profile and a higher level of football at Aberdeen.

“That will benefit Rory as an individual. The higher up you play, the better it is for you and us.”