Tanya Oxtoby will raise standards across the game in NI: Lauren Haynes

Tanya Oxtoby's first game in charge is against the Republic of Ireland

Lauren Haynes has spoken highly of Tanya Oxtoby

Northern Ireland’s players, as well as the entire female game here, are in for a culture shock.

That is the warning from a Sports Direct Women’s Premiership star who has first-hand experience of new international manager Tanya Oxtoby.

After working with a number of England’s Women’s Euro 2022 wining Lionesses and a Balon d’Or contender in the shape of Australian ace Sam Kerr during her time at Chelsea Women, Oxtoby will be a ‘standard raiser’ according to Sion Swifts Ladies’ Lauren Haynes.

Mixed with demanding that levels of performance are as high as possible, Haynes also believes that players will thrive in an enjoyable environment under the new boss.

“She’s very educated, she’s got an incredible football brain,” said former Oxford United captain Haynes, who encoun tered Oxtoby, who was then manager of Bristol City, while working towards her coaching qualifications.

“She is somebody who is organised, has systems, has procedures and makes players play enjoyable football and attractive football while at the same time instilling the roles and responsibilities into the players.”

Lauren Haynes has spoken highly of Tanya Oxtoby

While attractive and enjoyable football can only be viewed as positive traits, what everyone really wants is to have a winning team on the pitch, starting when Oxtoby’s tenure begins in earnest in Saturday’s Women’s Nations League opener against the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

The new manager is, however, coming from an environment at Chelsea where second place isn’t acceptable and three successive Women’s Super League and FA Cup doubles between 2021 and 2023