McCabe: 'Coaches will challenge us and of course, we are going to challenge them back'

Katie McCabe has confirmed that talks are ongoing with Arsenal over a new contract

RAISING STANDARDS: Katie McCabe during a Republic of Ireland women press conference at the FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Katie McCabe insists her World Cup sideline spat with Vera Pauw won’t dim her desire to suggest changes to Ireland managers in future.

Tension in a toxic camp spilled over in the final dead rubber group game against Nigeria, when the captain could be heard calling on her boss to introduce fresh legs.

Pauw revealed afterwards it was Sinead Farrelly – absent from Ireland duty this week despite playing for her club NY/NJ Gotham on Saturday night – whom McCabe wanted substituted, “It is a two-way street,” noted the Arsenal player, soon to work under a new Ireland manager when headhunted and appointed.

“Coaches will challenge us and of course, we are going to challenge them back. It is not a bad thing wanting more from each other, because it is only going to raise the level. I get challenged every day at Arsenal.

“I have worked with coaches who aren’t open to it and I have worked with coaches who are way more open.” 

McCabe, meanwhile, has confirmed that talks are ongoing with Arsenal over a new contract. She was last January subject to interest from WSL champions Chelsea, aware of her deal lapsing at the end of this season.

A query for an update prompted McCabe to resort to her famous zipped mouth gesture, this time physically rather than via a virtual emoji.