Family, football and Dalglish - what drives NI boss McArdle?

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Family, football and Dalglish - what drives NI boss McArdle?Image source, Press EyeImage caption, Michael McArdle was appointed Northern Ireland manager in March and has won two of his four matchesByAndy GrayBBC Sport NI journalistAs Michael McArdle sits down for an interview with BBC Sport at Windsor Park, he's as relaxed as they come.The Scot had just announced his squad for the World Cup play-off with Portugal, for what will be the biggest game of his managerial career to date.McArdle has only been in the Northern Ireland hot seat since March, when he was announced as Tanya Oxtoby's permanent successor, but has more than 25 years of experience working in football. But when he talks about family, it's not just in terms of his own life.

It is an embodiment of what he is trying to achieve with Northern Ireland."Family's crucial to me. We're all a family when we represent the country," he said."That's a family of players and a family of staff, but also as an ecosystem and domestic game."We're all the one family when we're together and that's a message that will always be strong while I'm at the helm."Dreams v realityImage source, Press EyeImage caption, Northern Ireland have won two of their four games under McArdle - but Portugal will be a tough testIf Northern Ireland are to make it to their first World Cup in Brazil then there are a number of hurdles they will need to clear.It would perhaps surpass even the fairytale of qualifying for Euro 2022, when Kenny Shiels led a squad largely made up of amateur players to the promised land.A change in format has made replicating that feat more difficult, and if Northern Ireland can beat Portugal over two legs then they will face Croatia or, more likely, Iceland.The Portuguese and Iceland have beaten Northern Ireland over the past two years or so - both quite convincingly.Even if McArdle's young squad can defy the odds, they will likely face an additional inter-continental play-off in February due to their rankings.

We know it's a highly challenging task first of all to get through Portugal."McArdle talks about moments within matches, and working with his staff to plan for in-game scenarios.There's also the excitement that comes with such a big match, and McArdle admits he is "loving" his time in charge."You look forward to every game but it's one of those ties that gives you the opportunity to test yourself at the highest level."Also the excitement of possibly achieving something and punching above our weight, which we're special at doing."'I don't underestimate the power of it'Image source, Press EyeImage caption, Northern Ireland captain Simone Magill will be with the group as she steps up her return following the birth of her daughter, SkyeIn his career in football, McArdle has held a number of coaching, academy and development positions. First of all for Simone and Mark to experience what the future is like when Simone's representing Northern Ireland."It gives us that window of opportunity and it's something we've planned together over the summer months."I think that's crucial because it's one thing knowing the players and the girls that represent us, but also the families that support them as well."I'm very passionate about that and I don't underestimate the power of it."Theatre and musicImage source, Michael McArdleImage caption, Family is everything for McArdle, who still lives in Moodiesburn to this dayGiven the themes throughout, it's no surprise what drives McArdle.He grew up idolising the likes of Kenny Dalglish, who once was a loan player from Celtic at Cumbernauld United juniors near where he grew up.His coaching influences are close to home too, and he cites Michael O'Halloran, a youth coach in Glasgow, and Sir Alex Ferguson, who was a "god" coming from the east end of the city.Further afield, the likes of Arrigo Sacchi - whose AC Milan side he used to watch on VHS in the 90s - Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez have all factored into his thinking."What drew me towards Sacchi, Mourinho and Benitez was not just the tactical side of the game, but how they managed it and their leadership."They didn't play professionally and it kind of aligned with myself, although I didn't realise at the time."But it's in Moodiesburn where his DNA is, and it is the values he learned there that have shaped him into the coach he is today."Growing up in the village and growing up as a family I was always going to care for people and be in a service role.